October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/23/2019
This possibly armory experimental shoulder stocked M1842 Aston is of standard configuration throughout with the exception of attachment of an adjustable rear sight and a backstrap with two slots to admit an 1855 Springfield Model shoulder stock. The barrel, stamped "U.S. S.M." over "P". The lock degraded to the point of obscuring the markings but one can puzzle out "U.S. ASTON MIDDLETON CONNECTICUT", but not the date. Brass furniture regulation pattern with the exception of the steel backstrap and butt, possibly adapted from an 1836 flintlock pistol or percussion conversion. The walnut stock, with "N. W. P." for Nathan W. Patch and "W. A. T." for William A Thorton. The shoulder stock from an 1855 pistol carbine, specifically adapted to this pistol. CONDITION: Barrel has medium pitting, pitted stirrup rammer, lockplate with medium pitting throughout, action is crisp, stock itself is very good with crisp inspector's cartouches, shoulder stock with brass mounts with deep even patination, unpolished, stock with some raised grain and only minor marks. This possibly experimental pistol carbine is well worthy of further research, possibly used at the trials with an 1855 stock. PROVENANCE: Ex. Luke Woods, Robert Sadler Collection. MZ