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LOT 3072
Scarce Virginia Manufactory
“1813 Dated” 2nd Model Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 bore cal., 10 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut
stock. This is a very scarce example of a flintlock horseman’s pistol that was manufactured for the State of Virginia in 1813
at the Virginia Manufactory Armory in Richmond, Virginia. Experts estimate that the Virginia Manufactory produced a total of only 2,044 2nd between 1812 and 1815. These pistols were still in service at the outbreak of the Civil War and are known to have
been issued to Confederate cavalry units in the opening months of the war. Surviving examples are scarce. The pistol is similar in configuration to the U.S. Model 1805 flintlock pistol manufactured at Harpers Ferry Armory. The round, 10-inch, smooth bore barrel is not fitted with front or rear sights. The wedge-fastened barrel has a prominent under-rib with attached swivel that secures an iron, button-head ramrod. The pistol has a flat, bevel-edged, lock plate with integral, fenced, pan and a pronounced tip at the rear. The reinforced hammer has beveled edges. The frizzen has a straight toe. The pistol has a three-quarter length, oil-finished walnut stock. The stock is fitted with a brass buttcap with two long spurs, a brass trigger guard with pointed forward finial, a simple brass side plate, brass ramrod tail pipe and a thin brass reinforcing strip. The lock plate is marked “RICHMOND/1813” in two arched curves behind the hammer and “VIRGINIA” in a single line ahead of it. The numerals “3/3” and “8” are stamped on the inside of the trigger guard. There are no other visible markings.
CONDITION: Good as expertly reconverted to the flintlock configuration. The barrel and lock plate have been lightly cleaned. There is light-moderate pitting along the length of the barrel with heavy pitting surrounding the flash hole. The lock has scattered light pitting with a dark patina in protected areas. The lock markings are clear. The brass furniture has not been polished and shows an attractive patina with moderate handling wear. The stock is also in good overall condition. The edges show expected handling wear. There are several hairline cracks in the tip of the stock, on the left flat and behind the lock plate. Mechanically fine. This is a solid representative example of a very scarce 2nd Model Virginia Manufactory flintlock pistol.
transitional style early percussion pistols upon which these percussion pistols are based. These pistols are all assumed to have seen hard Confederate use in the Civil War and many were destroyed.
CONDITION: Good with smooth brown patina on the iron surfaces, moderate flash pitting, and clear lock markings. Brass retains an untouched attractive golden aged patina with numerous small period dings on the butt. Wood is fair as lightly sanded and re-oiled with scattered light scratches, a chip on the right of the barrel channel, numerous minor chips around the lock, an absent section behind the bolster, and a crack running through the sideplate. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
Model pistols
VIRGINIA MANUFACTORY FLINTLOCK PISTOLS WERE STILL IN SERVICE AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE CIVIL WAR AND ARE KNOWN TO HAVE BEEN ISSUED TO CONFEDERATE CAVALRY UNITS IN THE OPENING MONTHS OF THE WAR
Estimate: 7,000 - 11,000
LOT 3073
Very Scarce Palmetto Armory Model 1842 Percussion Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl.,
bright finish, walnut stock. These Model 1842 pistols were manufactured at the Palmetto Armory circa 1852-1853 for the South Carolina
militia. This example is marked “PALMETTO ARMORY” in an arch over a Palmetto palm tree above “S*C” at the center of the lock, “COLUMBIA/S C.
1852” at the tail of the lock, “P/V” over a palmetto proof on the upper left of the barrel at the breech, and “Wm. GLAZE & CO.” on the left barrel flat. It has a brass blade front sight, brass furniture, and modern replacement iron swivel ramrod. It is believed that William Glaze did not actually manufacture these pistols but instead had them assembled and finished using parts from Northern contractors who manufactured Model 1842 pistols
on contract with the U.S. Government. Glaze’s partner, Benjamin Flagg, was formerly the superintendent of Asa Waters factory in Massachusetts. Waters had formerly manufactured the Model 1836 flintlock pistols and
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