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LOT 3192
Rare Morrill, Mosman & Blair Elgin Patent Cutlass Percussion Pistol with Sheath - Serial no. 16, 36 cal., 4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut grips. Rare example of a percussion cutlass pistol that was manufactured by Henry Morrill, Silas Mosman and Charles Blair of Amherst, Massachusetts, c. 1837. This unique weapon combines a box-lock percussion pistol with a Bowie type knife blade. The pistol is similar in design but slightly smaller than the U.S. Navy Elgin Cutlass Pistol manufactured by C.B. Allen of Springfield, Massachusetts, for the Wilkes South Sea Exploring Expedition. The 9 inch Bowie type blade is incorporated into the trigger guard. The blade is believed to have been manufactured by the famous cutler N.P. Ames. The blades of these pistols are typically marked “Elgin’s Patent” on one side and “Morrill, Mosman/& Blair/Amherst Mass.” on the other, although this example appears to have been polished
in the period and no longer has any visible markings. The pistol has a round barrel rifled with eight grooves with a rudimentary front sight blade that has been ground flat. The box-lock receiver has a fixed rear sight and extended iron straps with a walnut one-piece bag-shaped grip. The serial number, “16” is marked on the underside of the receiver. There are no other visible markings on the barrel or receiver. The pistol is complete with the very rarely encountered leather form-fitted sheath with German silver throat and tip.
CONDITION: Good with scattered patches of age discoloration, pitting and wear. The refinished grip is very good with scattered scratches, small dents, and a few small chips. Mechanically fine. The sheath is fine with some light age related cracking on the leather with solid form, and bright patina on the German silver throat and tip. Large Morrill, Mossman & Blair Cutlass Pistols are rare and desirable firearms that are seldom encountered with accompanying original leather sheaths for the Bowie blade. This is a solid example of a very rare pistol that is seldom available to the public.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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