March 1-2, 2018 Firearms, Militaria & Sporting
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/2/2018
The Model 1842 is the first percussion pistol adopted by the U.S. government. About 41,000 were made by H. Aston, I.N. Johnson, and Palmetto Armory between 1846 and 1855. Round smoothbore steel barrel with traces of markings at breech. Fitted with a small brass half moon front sight and made without rear sight. Flat percussion lockplate with beveled edges and rounded hammer, lockplate stamped in the center "US / H. ASTON & Co" and vertically on tail "MIDDTN" with traces of date "1851". Lockplate appears to be a re-purposed 1836 plate, as cutout around bolster is larger. Standard brass Model 1842 furniture, including brass backstrap and barrel band with extension to sideplate. Steel swivel type ramrod with button plunger and opposite end shaped for cleaning. Plain varnished walnut half-stock, deeply stamped with inspector's cartouche "JH" for John Hawkins. Good condition, barrel retains a light spotted grey patina with freckling near breech and bolster. Lock shows a spotted light grey patina with partially worn markings. Deep inspector's cartouche. Brass furniture retains a mellowing patina with scattered marks from use. Stock good with a few light marks. This is a nice example, one of 24,000 made of this type, by Aston, with these markings.
Caliber/Bore
.54 Smoothbore