Arms, Armor and Militaria

.69 caliber. 9" round barrel. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot smoothbore muzzleloading flintlock military pistol with the barrel secured by a single double-strapped band retained by a Wickham stud. 5.125" flat flint lock with pronounced teat at tail is marked SPRING/FIELD/1818 in three vertical lines at the tail and with weak traces of an {Eagle}/US forward of the cock. Lock incorporates an integral fenced and bridled rounded iron pan, frizzen with curved toe, frizzen spring with spear point finial and a flat faceted swan neck cock. The lock remains in original flint, although the mainspring is replaced, as is the top jaw screw and possibly the top jaw. The cock itself may be an old replacement as well but appears to be of the correct form. Top of breech dated 1818, matching the lock. Breech with a raised P in a depressed oval, {Eagle Head} and V proof and inspection marks. A replacement wooden ramrod is present in the channel under the stock.

The US Model 1817 (aka 1807) pistol has an interesting history in that its initial production circa 1807-1808 was halted after only a few hundred at most were made, as the large caliber was simply uncontrollable and created severe recoil. When the project was returned to circa 1814-1815 it seems the production was more intent upon using up the parts already produced or possibly to keep the workmen at Springfield gainfully employed as the post-War of 1812 period meant that huge supplies of muskets were readily available after the downsizing of the army at the end of the war. It is unclear if these guns saw service with mounted troops on a state level, as there was no Federal cavalry at this time, or with other forces in need of pistols, like the navy. The pistol is important in the collection of Springfield Armory weapons in that it was the first pistol produced in any quantity at Springfield and would be one of only three produced in significant numbers, with the US M1855 Pistol Carbine and the M1911 being the other other two. An essential and difficult gun to acquire for the US martial pistol collector. {ANTIQUE}