October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
For a nearly identical example, see pages 202 and 203, number 96 in "Historic Pistols" by Samuel E. Smith and Edwin W. Bitter. This is one of the standard 1807 Contract pistols supplied by Henry under two contracts, one for 150 pairs and the other for an additional 600 pairs. The pistols were delivered between 1808 and 1810, but only 1,468 were delivered. Joseph Henry supplied more pistols than any other 1807 contractor. The round smoothbore steel barrel has a small brass front sight and the left side of the breech is deeply stamped with an eagle's head over a "P" and top stamped "J. HENRY / PHILA". The flat lockplate is stamped vertically at the tail "J. HENRY / PHILA" and "US" in the center. Standard brass 1807 furniture and plain walnut stock with traces of inspector cartouche "V/JS" behind the sideplate. Complete with associated wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a cleaned lightly pitted surface with good markings. Lock is in its original flintlock configuration and shows light pitting and light grey patina, pan and frizzen screws are modern replacements. Stock has a later coat of finish with some age cracks and scattered marks from use, one small sliver replaced around rearmost barrel pin and one small piece around pommel cap. A very nice and honest example. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.58 Smoothbore