Product Details
SPRINGFIELD ARMORY, USA
A RARE AND DESIRABLE .68 CAL PERCUSSION SINGLE-SHOT SERVICE PISTOL, MODEL '1817', no visible serial number,
Manufactured 1817-18, converted from flint with round iron 10 3/4in. barrel stamped '1818' (faint) forwards of the top-tang together with 'P' in an oval, an eagles-head device and the letter 'V' proof-marks, the top tang forming the back-strap, plain iron bevel-edged lock-plate with pointed tail (traces of colour), stamped with the U.S. Martial eagle device over 'US' (defaced) forwards of the hammer, the tail marked on three lines 'SPRING FIELD 1818', walnut three-quarter stock (small losses and repairs), iron furniture including heavy butt-cap, pillar trigger-guard bow, the trigger plate stamped 'E.A.', serpentine side plate and twin barrel-band nose-cap with applied brass boat-shaped fore-sight, replacement ramrod (worm screw missing from end), exposed iron surfaces with dark staining
Other Notes: In 1814, the Springfield Armory began production of the Model 1803 Half Stock Rifles that had been produced at Harpers Ferry. By 1816, due to problems with machinery, the production was aborted. Colonel Robert Lee, Superintendent of the Springfield Armory and Colonel Decius Wadsworth, of the Ordnance Office, began an initiative in 1817 to use the Model 1803 parts that were un-used for the Model 1817 Pistol. The only reason these pistols were manufactured was to rid the Armory of spare parts. The first 400 guns assembled utilised the locks from the 1803 Model rifle and the example represented here is one of these. In total only 1000 Model 1817 pistols were produced, and it is generally accepted that they represent one of the most desirable martial handguns available to the collector of US military handguns. For a similar pistol (although un-converted) sold in these rooms, please see sale A1070, Lot 450 of 21st March 2013
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Estimate £800-1,200