GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
RARE NORTH & CHENEY FLINTLOCK PISTOL, SERIAL NUMBER 816. NORTH & CHENEY 1777 816 72 Cal. 72. 8-5/8" rnd bbl marked "V/P" and "US" at breech. Bbl and tang each marked with full SN and assembly number "II", also cut into back of bbl and breech. Assembly number "II" found on most external screws and inside bow of trigger guard. Further disassembly was not attempted to search for other markings as this gun is so well known with great collection history. Brass frame is marked underneath "NORTH & CHENEY BERLIN". SN "816" marked inside frame. Like the frame, the butt cap is made of brass. Here is the opportunity to own the Rosetta Stone of United States martial pistols. Simeon North and Elisha Cheney signed a contract with the government to manufacture 500 pistols on March 8, 1799 and were the first pistols manufactured entirely by a contractor, as all previous procurements were assembled from parts either in storage or made by various people. These are truly the 1st American government contracted martial pistols. These new pistols were copied from the French Model 1777 Pistol with several improvements incorporated such as approximately 1/2" longer bbl and an additional screw securing the frame to the bbl. The first 500 were marked "S.NORTH & E. CHENEY BERLIN" along the brass frame while the second contract were marked "NORTH & CHENEY BERLIN". With these first 500 pistols delivered by early 1800, a second contract was forthcoming to Simeon North and Elisha Cheney for 1,500 pistols dated February 6, 1800. The final delivery of the 1,500 pistols were delivered by mid-year 1801 and effectively launched Simeon North into his pistol making venture that lasted another 25 years. PROVENANCE: Pistol was originally purchased by Henry M. Stewart, 1950; Clay Bedford Collection, 1967; James Lucie; Eric Vaule offered for sale in "Gun Report", June 1976; Outstanding estate collection of Confederate and historical arms of Morris Racker. CONDITION: Iron bbl and tang are in good condition with pitting clearly showing "VP" and "US" markings. Frizzen and hammer are well fit and functional with matching patina to bbl, as does frizzen spring. Ramrod appears to be replaced. Brass frame and butt cap are in very good condition with all markings sharp and clear with old cleaning, shows numerous nicks, dings and scratches from normal handling. Orig stock is correct having old repaired crack and minor chipping at frame, hand worn patina. An interesting inked note in channel by early collector Henry Stewart "H.M.STEWART-PURCHASED AUGUST 1950". Pistol is orig flint. Considering that only about two dozen of these rare and historic martial pistols are known to exist of the 2,000 orig delivered, this gun being a 2nd Model in original flint with great collection history would make this an important addition to any advanced martial pistol collection. 51957-4 JS (30,000-50,000)