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U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,750.00 USD
U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol

Estimate: $2500 - 3750
Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol manufactured at the U.S. Armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in 1807. The Model 1805 Pistol was the first military handgun manufactured by a national armory. Total production was 4,096 pistols made between 1806 and 1808. The pistols were issued and serial numbered in pairs (2048 pairs in all). The pistol has a round, .54 caliber smoothbore barrel with iron under-rib and a single iron ramrod pipe. The barrel band, tail pipe, side plate, trigger guard and strapped buttcap are brass. The lock plate has a flat face with beveled edges and a small tip at the end. The lock has a reinforced, flat, hammer and integral fenced iron pan. The wedge-fastened stock is black walnut and has a brass reinforcing band on the tip. The pistol is fitted with a wooden ramrod with flared tip. The rear of the lock plate is marked: "HARPERS/FERRY/1807" in three slightly curved, vertical lines. A spread eagle and shield motif above "US" is stamped on the lock plate in front of the hammer. The top of the barrel is stamped with an oval cartouche containing an "eagle head/P" proof mark, and what appears to be the serial number, "127" are visible on the left side of the barrel. Experts estimate that fewer than 275 or 15% of the total production of Model 1805 pistols remain in collections today.
BBL: 10 1/16 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 54 bore
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: 127
Condition: Poor as reconverted to flintlock. The iron barrel, under-rib, ramrod pipe and lock have a deep brown patina. The portions of the barrel surrounding the flash hole are heavily pitted. The serial number and oval proof mark are partially visible; the oval "US" cartouche is obscured by pitting. The Harpers Ferry markings and "1807" date on the rear of the lock plate are sharp but the Eagle and Shield motif in front of the hammer is partially covered by flash-pitting. The brass furniture has not been polished and has a very attractive patina. The stock has a good looking patina; the edges surrounding the lock plate and the edges of the left flat are sharp. The stock has a professionally repaired double crack that runs from the lock to the side plate; the repair has been carefully reinforced with several wooden plugs. The repair is very well executed and is hard to spot without close inspection. The stock has been expertly refinished. A non-standard oval silver thumb plate is inlaid on the stock wrist. This is a good representative looking example of a scarce Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol.
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