Rock Island Auction Company Homepage
The Nation's Leading Auction House for Firearms, Edged Weapons, & Military Artifacts
firearm HOME AUCTIONS CATALOGS CONSIGNMENTS NEWS & PRESS EVENTS ABOUT US LINKS CONTACT US rifle
fine
Upcoming Auctions    Past Auctions    Absentee Bidding    Prices Realized    FAQs    Shipping
shotguns
AUCTION ITEM
Premiere Firearms Auction (April 25, 26 & 27 2009)
Lot #: 3001
Estimated Price: $18,000 - $25,000
Extremely Rare, Presentation, Morrill, Mosman and Blair Elgin Cutlass Pistol with Scabbard
LOT SOLD
Serial #: NSN Manufacturer: Morrill, Mosman, & Blair
Model: Elgin Cutlass Type: Pistol
Gauge: 34 Catalog Page: 105
Barrel Length: 4 inch Finish: N/A
Grip: walnut Stock: N/A
Sell Date: Monday, April 27, 2009
Condition Rating:  
Description: An extremely rare example of an Elgin Cutlass Pistol made by Henry Morrill, Silas Mosman and Charles Blair in 1837-38. The Elgin Cutlass Pistol was patented by George Elgin of Macon, Georgia, in 1837. The unique design combined a box-lock percussion pistol with a Bowie type knife. The Elgin Cutlass Pistols were equipped with a distinctive, form-fitted, black leather scabbard with a metal throat. The U.S. Navy contracted for 150 Elgin Cutlass Pistols to arm the Wilkes South Seas Exploring Expedition in 1837. The Wilkes Expedition pistols were made by Cyrus B. Allen and N.P. Ames manufactured the blades. Apparently spurred by the Navy order, the firm of Morrill, Mossman and Blair was established to manufacture Elgin Cutlass Pistols in August 1837. Silas Mosman previously worked as an engraver for N.P. Ames and subsequently returned to work for that firm in July, 1838. In contrast to the Navy cutlass pistols manufactured by N.P. Ames and Cyrus Allen; Morrill, Mosman and Blair manufactured both the pistol and the Bowie blade. This pistol has a round, four inch, .34 caliber rifled barrel with brass front sight blade. The top of the barrel is stamped "CAST STEEL". The box-lock action has a rudimentary rear sight and is fitted with a walnut, bag-shaped grip. The hammer, sides of the lock and the receiver tang are decorated with floral engraving. The Bowie type blade has an integral spur trigger guard and is approximately 10 5/8 inches long. The blade has acid etched panels with dry needle engraving. The obverse features a vase with flowers, the legend "Elgin's Patent" and an eagle clutching three arrows with a ribbon engraved "Freedom" in it's beak. The eagle is surrounded by seventeen five-pointed stars and a dry etched floral border. The reverse side of the blade is etched with a vase and flowers and the legend "Morrell Mosman/& Blair/Amherst Mass" in three lines below an eagle with a ribbon engraved "Liberty" in its beak surmounted by seventeen stars and a dry-etched floral border. The eagle motif is very similar to the eagle engraved by Silas Mosman on the Ames pattern 1833 Dragoon Officer's Saber. The pistol is complete with the very rarely encountered black leather scabbard. The scabbard has a German silver throat with a frog stud on the right side. The left side of the scabbard is inscribed "Dr. J. Mauran/to/Geo. W. Steinhauer/June 14th, 1848". Dr. Joseph Mauran was a Providence, Rhode Island, physician who was twice elected president of the Rhode Island Medical Society. George Steinhauer was a prominent Providence businessman. This may be the only inscribed, presentation, Elgin Cutlass Pistol existent.
Condition: Fine. The pistol and the upper one-third of the blade have an even, medium brown, patina. There is some minor flash pitting on the percussion nipple, bolster and adjacent portions of the lock but the remainder of the metal surfaces are smooth. The engraving on the lock, hammer and back strap is crisp. The walnut grip retains about 60% of the original varnish. The tip of the blade is broken but the blade remains in very good condition. The delicate acid etched panels and dry needle engraving are quite clear with excellent detail. The forward six inches of the blade have a darker patina then the pistol and the rear of the blade. The forward portion of the blade has a mottled finish with some very minor pitting on the back edge. The lighter patina on the pistol and upper blade is apparently the result of the pistol being stored with the blade and barrel partially out of the scabbard. The delicate black leather scabbard remains in outstanding condition. The scabbard has scattered age cracks with some minor flaking; the most noticeable wear is a small split in the bottom seam near the throat. The scabbard is solid; the few remaining 170 year-old Elgin Pistol scabbards are usually in relic condition. The scabbard throat is in excellent condition with an attractive, un-polished, patina and crisp engraving. This is an outstanding example of a rare Elgin Cutlass Pistol with inscribed scabbard.
(c) 2006-2010 Rock Island Auction Company     info@rockislandauction.com     1-800-238-8022     4507 49th Avenue, Moline, IL 61265