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AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK HISTORIC PISTOLS: THE AMERICAN MARTIAL
FLINTLOCK 1760-1845 BY SMITH & BITTER
LOT 3087
Very Scarce Documented Revolutionary War Era Attributed American “Kentucky” Flintlock Pistol, Possibly by Andrew Verner, Featured in “Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845” - NSN,
55 cal., 7 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, maple stock. This pistol is featured and discussed on pages 12-13 of “Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845” by Smith and Bitter where it is noted as “an early Revolutionary war period Kentucky pistol, its workmanship superior to most pistols of
that era. It was probably produced in eastern Pennsylvania, and its original owner was probably an officer who had purchased a matched pair as his personal holster pistols.”The authors note that only around one
Kentucky pistol exists for around every 250 Kentucky rifles and indicate they believe the pistol may have
been built by Andrew Verner of Bucks County, P.A. The silver wrist escutcheon is inscribed “AJ” or “AS” (the authors have
“AV” listed). These would likely be the initials of the original owner. Little is known about him, but Verner is believed
to have been active c. 1780-1790s (so not actually early in the American Revolution). There area aspects on this pistol
similar to an example signed by him and others attributed to him. There are also some similarities with the John Shuler
attributed pistol in the Smithsonian. Shuler was active in Bucks County in the early 1800s. The smoothbore barrel has a brass blade front sight, banded transition, a somewhat unclear “S” stamp on the upper left, and short tang. The lock is unmarked. Aside from the noted silver escutcheon, the furniture is brass and features some light border, scroll, and floral engraving. The maple stock has the noted incised floral carving around the barrel tang and a bird’s head grip profile.
CONDITION: Very good with silver-gray patina on most of the barrel, darker patina on the breech end, dark brown patina on the lock, mild oxidation and pitting, dark aged patina on the silver, nice aged patina on the brass furniture, and generally mild overall wear. The stock is also very good with a long crack along the right side of the forend, smaller cracks at the forend tip, distinct carving, nice figure, and smooth finish. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The E.W. Bitter Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
known examples by him suggesting this pistol was from an earlier maker. It is built with an early bridle-
less lock with stepped tail and “banana”
profile. The furniture is mostly brass aside from the eye shaped silver wrist escutcheon. The ramrod entry pipe has some nice engraving on the finial, and the
trigger guard has a shell finial. The stock appears to be cherry and has nice molding, raised floral carving by the upper tang, and an interesting hexagonal wrist profile.
CONDITION: Good with light gray patina and minor pitting on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the brass furniture and silver escutcheon, distinct designs, and moderate wear. The stock
has a repaired crack visible in the wrist, distinct carving and molding, and general mild wear. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
65
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
LOT 3088
American W. Matheson Signed Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 65 cal., 13 1/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. The smoothbore, octagon to round barrel is signed “W MATHESON” and has simple incised bands at the transition point and no sights. The well-known Rhode Island gunmaker Welcome Mathewson (b. 1778) was active in the early 19th century in Burrillville, Rhode Island, by which time this style of pistol would have been antiquated, and the signature does not match