November 15 & 16, 2022 Extraordinary Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/15/2022
Haslett is recorded in Stockel as being active in Philadelphia and Baltimore circa 1773 - 1833, and immigrated to the US in 1798. Born in Ireland, Haslett initially trained with Robert McCormick of McCormick horse pistol fame, before he opened his own shop in 1803. This example is a coach gun with a hexagonal-to-round barrel separated by a beaded wedding ring at the girdle. Beaded front spider sight. Top rib of hexagonal area marked "BALTIMORE" and an American eagle head proof on an offset rib. Captive ramrod on a half length rib with single ferrule, feeding into a reinforced mouth. Stepped flat lock with dual locking bolts, swan neck cock, fenced waterproof gold lined pan, bridled pan cover, roller bearing frizzen, and engraved with a stand of arms, feathers on the step, rays around rear lock bolt, and a deeply impressed "HASLETT / BALTIMORE" poincon. Trigger guard engraved with a boar's head amidst a stand of arms, pineapple finial, and Jaeger-ian sweep at rear. Checkered wrist with an armorial shield. Butt has an engraving of a deer at heel with a long topstrap. Accompanied by a folder of information including an inventory sheet, photocopies of "Maryland Longrifles" by Hartzler and Whisker where this gun was photographed, photocopies of "American Silver-Hilted, Revolutionary and Early Federal Swords According to Their Geographical Areas of Mounting, Volume I" by Hartzler, where this gun was photographed and mentioned, a copy of "James Haslett: Baltimore Gunsmith" by Richard Randall, where this gun is discussed, and further photocopies from "Gunsmiths of Maryland". CONDITION: Overall very good, barrel is essentially dove-grey with some spots of oxidation, primarily towards muzzle. Silver mounts have some minor tarnishing from age. Lock is very good, essentially dove grey, crisp engraving. Stock is very good, possibly with an extra layer of varnish, and some handling marks throughout. Mechanically fine, bore is very good with a minimum of oxidation. EMW