GUN SPRING 2010
The live portion of this session begins on Sunday, March 14, 2010.
S. NORTH 1811/13 TRANSITION CONTRACT PISTOL (FLAT LOCK VARIATION) WITH WICKHAM BARREL BAND IMPROVEMENT. Cal. 71. 8-1/4" long rnd iron bbl marked on left near breech "P/US" (US is faint), marked on bbl tang is a large "P", bbl marked underneath "VI" which is the assembly number on all the external screws. The lock is marked underneath brass pin with spread wing eagle over "U.STATES", under cock is "S. NORTH" (S. is missing) and "BERLIN/CON.", inside lock is "SB" and assembly marking of "V." is on brass pan, lock plate, pan screw, both bridle screws, bridle, tumbler, sear, sear pin screw, main spring screw and on the outside the battery, battery screw, battery spring screw, cock screw and cock. Wooden ramrod is a modern replacement. Walnut stock is marked opposite the lock "V HHP" (Henry H Perkins) over a sunburst. Only about six pistols known to collectors of this configuration. Transition piece due to Wickham improvement, but due to steel mounting and including buttcap shaped as the butt of Model 1813 pistol, made in Middletown, CT. SIZE: PROVENANCE: Charles Radcliffe Collection acquired from The Robert Howard Collection, April 24, 2006 at the Greg Martin Auctions, item 30. CONDITION: All the iron work has been cleaned at one time with remnants of pitting on the bbl near the touch hole and on the face of the lock under the pan. Walnut stock is in very good condition with good edges and several minor chips measuring between 1/8" to 1/16" behind bbl band as well as a 3/4" x 1/4" chip of wood in front of lock and similar 1/8" x 1/4" chip in front of trigger guard. There has been some wood filler under the bbl to reinforce the stock which should be redone. This pistol is one of 85 presented for inspection to Henry H. Perkins on October 10, 1816, although it is unknown how many passed, it is a rarely seen pistol today. 29795-8 (14,000-16,000) PAS52