October 22-23, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/22/2019
Prior to the Virginia Manufactory being able to produce pistols on its own, John Miles Sr. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania delivered approximately 250 pairs of pistols to Virginia to arm their cavalry during 1802-1804. The first of these pistols were supplied around October 7th, 1801. The first production coincides with the last of the production of the North & Cheney pistols. There is believed to be less than ten of these Miles Virginia Contract pistols known to exist today. This gun features the marking of "MILES PHILAD .1 REGT, VIRGA, CAVALRY" on the barrel which is correct, although weak from being overly cleaned. The lock is marked "LES./ PHILA", markings are extremely weak from pitting and an aggressive cleaning. As with Virginia Manufactory guns, this could be considered a secondary Confederate firearm. This gun originally surfaced in an attic in 2013, in completely untouched condition and sold at Julia's. CONDITION: The gun has since been overly cleaned with significant restoration done to the wood. Areas of moderate pitting. Brass mounted. The lock does not hold at either full or half cock. Horn tipped ram rod has also had restoration done. GR
Caliber/Bore
.68 Smoothbore