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LOT 1103
Exceptional U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1819 Hall Breech Loading Flintlock Rifle Dated 1838 - NSN, 52 cal., 32 5/8 inch round bbl., brown/
casehardened finish, walnut stock. Approximately 19,680 Model 1819 Hall rifles were manufactured from 1819-1840, with a few years in between without
production, and this example is one of approximately 2,934 manufactured by Harpers Ferry in the year 1838. Designed from the ground up by John Hall including the machinery and
methods of manufacturing, these rifles were very innovative for the time and are considered the first firearm to successfully achieve true parts interchangeability, the first nationally adopted
breech loading firearm, and also the first breech loading firearm to see widespread military use. In 1826, a government commission disassembled 100 Hall rifles, mixed up the parts, and re-assembled them on newly received stocks with no reported problems and thus confirmed Hall’s success. Standard offset blade and notch sights, button head ramrod, “J. H. HALL/H. FERRY/US/1838” on the breechblock.
CONDITION: Exceptionally fine, retains 70% plus original brown finish and case colors, with some areas thinning, and a few patches of light oxidation on top of the breech block with defined markings. The stock is excellent with a few light handling marks, and distinct edges overall.
Mechanically excellent.
Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
LOT 1104 U.S. Springfield Model 1855 Percussion Pistol-Carbine with Shoulder Stock - NSN, 58 cal., 12 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Springfield Armory manufactured 4,021 of these dual purpose pistol-carbines. They were designed to be used as pistols by mounted cavalrymen and as carbines when they dismounted but did not prove satisfactory due to their limited rate of fire, poor accuracy, and awkward dimensions as pistols. The Maynard tape priming system was also found to be a weak spot and was abandoned by the U.S. military after the Model 1855 series. While these aspects proved to undermine the system and made their production run short, it has made them particularly desirable collector’s items. They are one of only three handguns ever manufactured at Springfield; a distinction they share with the venerable Model 1911 and Model 1817 flintlock. Nonetheless, most surviving examples make it clear that these weapons saw hard use into the Civil War era. This example has the standard markings and features, including “1856” date on the tail of the lock and “1855” on the barrel tang. It is fitted with a matching shoulder stock assembly numbered “17”, which is also correctly stamped on the rear butt. CONDITION: Good, showing a mixture of bright grey and brown patinas on the iron and an attractive antique patina on the brass with some scattered light pitting. The heavily worn wood is fair with minor dings and scratches scattered throughout. Mechanically excellent. The matching number shoulder stock is very good with attractive antique patina on the brass and some minor dings and scratches scattered throughout. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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LOT 1105
Fine U.S. Springfield Model 1816 Percussion Conversion Musket - NSN, 69 cal., 42 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Manufactured as a flintlock musket and subsequently converted to percussion using the bolster method. The method of conversion is similar in appearance to the Hewes & Phillips conversions although this example is unmarked on the bolster. The majority of the approximately 675,000 Model 1816 muskets were converted before the outbreak of the Civil War, and many were issued to state volunteer units during the early years of the war. Consignor notes attribute this as a possible Confederate conversion. The lock is marked “SPRING/FIELD/1829” behind the hammer with the eagle shield motif over “US” in front of the hammer. No markings on the breech. It has a bayonet stud on top near the muzzle, blade front sight on the front barrel band, three leaf 1858 pattern rear sight, and retains its original smooth bore. CONDITION: Fine overall, with scattered mild freckling on the otherwise bright iron surfaces, and clear lock markings. The re-oiled stock is also fine as lightly sanded and re-oiled, with some scattered light handling marks, a few cracks on the left ahead of the lock screws, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 1,600 - 2,500
LOT 1106 U.S. Simeon North Model 1819 Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 10 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The Model 1819 was based on designs from Harpers Ferry but were manufactured solely by
Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut , c. 1819-1823. It is certainly one of the most attractive flintlock martial periods. In that short time frame, his shop turned out 20,400 of these pistols for the U.S. government. These were the first U.S. martial pistols to use captive, swivel mounted ramrods which prevented the ramrods from being lost while reloading on horseback. This model was the only one to feature a sliding half-cock safety on the lock. These were common on civilian flintlocks by this time, but it was abandoned on subsequent models because it could snag and wasn’t seen as necessary. This pistol would have been delivered in 1820 since it does not have a year marked on the lock. The lock is marked “S. NORTH/U[eagle and shield motif ]S/MIDLTN CONN.” at the center and has a removable brass pan. The pistol also has a brass blade front sight, “JDJ” (John D. Johnson) and “P/US” on the upper left at the breech, a dished rear sight on the upper tang, “JF” and an oval cartouche on the left stock flat, “LT” on the left by the toe. CONDITION: Very good with mottled gray patina, light pitting, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also very good and has light dings and scratches, legible stamps, and the outline of the cartouche. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750