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share with the venerable Model 1911 semi-automatic and scarce U.S. Model 1817 flintlock. Springfield Armory manufactured
4,021 of these dual purpose pistol-carbines. They were designed with cavalrymen, light artillery, and other troops that rifle-muskets were too cumbersome for. They were first issued to
the U.S. 1st Cavalry in the antebellum era and saw use in the West, including with the 1st Dragoons in the Southwest where they were reported as not suitable for dragoon use due to 18
of 45 examples becoming unserviceable after just 4 months of service. They were innovative weapons but were soon made obsolete by improved breechloading carbines, but they were
pressed back into service at the beginning of the Civil War, mainly in smaller quantities with units from the Midwest. This example has the standard blade front sight, three-leaf rear sight gradua
on the upper tang, “V/P/eagle head” proofs on the upper left at the breech, “1855” on the upper tang, “1856” on the tail of the lock, the eagle and shield motif on the Maynard primer door, “U.S./SPRINGFIELD” at the front of the lock, brass furniture, a cartouche on the left stock flat, “2” on the pommel, “7” on the stock collar, and “U.S.” on the buttplate tang.
CONDITION: Very good with dark gray and brown patina on the lock and barrel along with minor pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, and general mild scratches and dings appropriate for a weapon possibly used in both the antebellum West and the Western Theater of the Civil War. The pistol stock is also very good and has a partially repaired crack visible through the wrist, mild scratches and dings like the metal, and a tension crack and minor flaking on the left flat. The buttstock is fine and has moderate scrap
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 129
U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol- Carbine with Shoulder Stock - NSN, 58 cal., 12 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1855 pistol-carbines are one of only three handguns ever manufactured at Springfield; a distinction they
ted to 400 yards
es and dings and nice grain texture. Mechanically excellent.
LOT 130
Exceptional Henry Aston Contract U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol Dated 1850 - NSN, 54 cal., 8 1/2 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This pistol is certainly one of the finest examples of a U.S. Model 1842 percussion pistol extant.
This was the final single shot, smoothbore, muzzleloading U.S. martial pistol model and saw use in the Mexican-American
War and Civil War. Gunmaker Henry Aston manufactured 24,000 of these distinctive pistols under his first contract in 1846 to 1851. Another 6,000 were produced under another contract by H. Aston & Co. in 1851 and 1852. Ira N. Johnson purchased
the factory and then produced another 10,000 under contract in 1853 to 1855. The pistol has a round smoothbore barrel
with brass front sight blade and swivel mounted button head ramrod. The lock has “U.S/H.ASTON” in front of the hammer and “MIDDTN/CONN/1850” stamped behind the hammer. The barrel tang is also dated “1850.” The top of the barrel is marked “U.S./ GW/P,” and “JH” is on the left flat at the breech. The side plate and long pommel strap have “H” sub-inspection marks, and a “W” sub-inspection mark is on the strap of the barrel band ahead of the front lock screw. “GW” (George Wells or George Wright) and “WAT” (William Anderson Thornton) cartouches are on the left stock flat.
CONDITION: Excellent with nearly all of the lock and barrel remaining armory bright, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, minimal wear, and crisp markings. The stock is also excellent and has attractive grain, smooth oiled finish, some light dings and scratches, and crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent.
Provenance: The Greg Lampe Collection.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000