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LOT 3195 Very Rare North Army Contract Model 1811 Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 8 5/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This is a fine example of a U.S. Model 1811 flintlock pistol manufactured by Simeon North of Berlin, Connecticut. Simeon
North manufactured only 606 Model 1811 Pistols with pin-fastened barrels between 1811 and 1813. The pistol has a pin- fastened walnut stock with round, .69 caliber smoothbore barrel and iron back strap. The distinctive, “umbrella” buttcap, trigger
guard, side plate and single ramrod pipe are brass. The lock has a reinforced cock, detachable brass flash pan with high fence and lock plate with beveled edges. The pistol is fitted with a hickory ramrod. The lock plate is stamped: “S.NORTH/BERLIN/CON.” in three
vertical lines behind the cock. An eagle is stamped above “U.STATES” between the cock and the frizzen spring. The left side of the barrel is
stamped with an oval, indented, “Eagle head/CT” proofmark above a “V” inspection mark. “V/HHP” proof and inspection marks are stamped on the left stock flat. Small “VI” assembly marks are stamped on the side plate screws, side plate, tang and buttcap screws and trigger plate. The cock, hammer screw, frizzen, and frizzen screw are stamped with a single punch-dot assembly mark. The single punch-dot marks are stamped on the inside of the pan and on most of the interior lock components. CONDITION: Fine, in original flintlock configuration. The pistol has been period cleaned, and the stock has two barely detectable, repaired hairline cracks in the wrist. The iron barrel, lock and tang are bright. The barrel and lock components have some scattered discoloration and light-moderate flash pitting. The markings on the barrel and lock plate are clear. The stock has had a coat of varnish applied and is in very good condition with a legible inspection mark on the left flat. The brass components have a mellow mustard yellow patina. Hangs up on the half cock notch, otherwise functional. Very few collections can boast having one of these! Very rare! Estimate: 8,000 - 12,000
LOT 3196
Rare and Desirable U.S. Simeon North Model 1813 Army Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 69 cal.,
9 1/16 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1813 has been an important piece for U.S. martial arms collectors due in part to its limited production of 1,626 pistols and its historical significance as the first arms manufactured under U.S. contract with interchangeable parts as part of the agreement. Like prior U.S. martial pistols, they were manufactured by Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut, who is a key figure in both U.S. martial arms production and U.S. industrialization as likely the first American to develop milling machines and one of the progenitors of interchangeable parts manufacturing alongside John Hall. Approximately 626 were delivered to the U.S. Army, and the other 1,000 were issued to the Navy. The Model 1816 that followed were similar but were smaller caliber and had blade front sights. The lock is marked “S. NORTH (in downward curve) over a bald eagle motif flanked by the letters “U” and “S” over “MIDLN CON. (in upward curve) at the center. The breech of the barrel is marked “P / US” on the upper left flat. The stock is flush with the front barrel band and has some attractive figure, particularly in the wrist section. It is fitted with a long iron back strap that connects the pommel cap to the barrel tang providing strength to the wrist, and the trigger guard tang has been lightly marked with “22-1922.” CONDITION: Very good plus. The metal has dark patina, moderate pitting, and minor marks and scratches. The otherwise fine stock has the noted attractive figure, some scattered dings and scrapes, hairline crack on the left side between the barrel band straps, slight chipping at the tail of the lock and cap, and mild overall wear. Mechanically the cock retracts, although needs work (sear not engaging notches). Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000
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