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LOT 215
Rare and Desirable and Fine U.S. Harper’s Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol - Serial no. 683,
54 cal., 10 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Approximately 4,096 Model 1805 Pistols were
manufactured at the Harpers Ferry Armory in matching numbered pairs. Of these, around 2,580 were
manufactured in 1807. It has a smoothbore .54 caliber barrel with a distinctive iron rib below with an iron
ferrule for the hickory The barrel is marked with the “eagle head/P” and “US” markings along with the serial number “683” on the
upper left at the breech. The lock has an iron flash pan with fence and is marked with an eagle/shield motif above “US” ahead of the cock and “HARPERS/ FERRY/1807” vertically marked on the tail. The walnut half-stock has brass furniture, a “V/CW” cartouche on the left flat, “JS” stamped by the toe, and “7” just above. These distinctive pistols were manufactured around the same time as the Model 1803 rifles which also featured iron under ribs and half-stocks. Together, these early martial arms were an interesting experiment but subsequent models were primarily manufactured using full-stocks like most martial arms of the era rather than featuring half-stocks and iron under ribs like many civilian sporting arms of the period.
CONDITION: Fine. The barrel is bright and has traces of minor oxidation and pitting and distinct markings. The lock has mottled dark gray patina. The brass furniture has natural aged patina. The stock is also fine and has a repair at the wedge on the right, a crisp cartouche, minor flakes at the tail of the lock, and fairly minor overall wear. Mechanically excellent. This is definitely a very attractive representative example of an early and important U.S. martial pistol. Provenance: The Herb Glass Jr. Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 18,000 - 27,500
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