This early 1850s pistol is based on William W. Marston's patent no. 7,443 from June 18, 1850, for a piston breech firearms design. It has a six-groove rifled, part-octagon barrel with a dovetailed nickel silver blade front sight, "W.W. MARSTON/PATENTED 1850" and "NEW-YORK" stamped on the top flat, "CAST-STEEL" on the upper right flat, and the serial number on the bottom. The serial number is also repeated on the bottom of the brass frame at the breech and hand-written inside the grips. The right grip also has a label from the Richard G. Gooding Collection. A notch rear sight is fitted into the top of the frame. The frame and hammer have scroll engraving, and a spread wing eagle, laurel branch, and arrow motif is engraved on the left. Provenance: The Richard G. Gooding Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very good with traces of original blue finish on the trigger guard and otherwise smooth gray patina on the iron, some minor pitting, attractive aged patina on the frame, crisp engraving, and minor overall wear. The grips are fine and have some light marks and scratches and smooth oiled finish. Mechanically excellent.