Winter Auction 2016 Closing January 30th
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016
Over the past 200 years the United States has led the world in designing the most successful military handguns. The Colt 1873 revolver and M1911 automatic are among the most iconic weapons in the world, but it all began with this flintlock pistol. The model 1805 Harpers Ferry pistol was the very first handgun manufactured by a United States armory and from 1806 to 1808 the Harpers Ferry armory crafted just over 4,000 of these 54 caliber pistols. In 1807, they year our example was dates to, the armory produced 2,580 of them, this one numbered "924" on the barrel. These pistols are rarely encountered in their original configuration like this example. The pistol has a 10 1/16" smooth bore barrel mounted on a one piece walnut stock. A brass-tipped wooden ramrod is mounted beneath the barrel on an iron guide. The mountings are brass with a metal key in the fore stock. The iron components were bright finished. The lock plate is stamped with "HARPERS FERRY 1807" behind the hammer and the national eagle is stamped in front of the hammer. The barrel is stamped with its production number "924" and "US" with an eagle "P". The condition is about fine. The lock plate and hammer have a smooth silver brown patina with just a small spotting of rust visible. The stock has a small crack on both sides of the brass butt plate. The wood around the fore stock key on both sides have been chipped and overall the stock shows nicks and scratches expected from a pistol of this age. The barrel and lock plate stampings are completely legible. The pistols mechanics are fine and the bore shows some pitting.
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.