The U.S. Navy contracted for the manufacture of 3,000 of these pistols total between 1808 (2,000 pistols) and 1810 (1,000 pistols). These are sizable numbers considering the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps only totaled around 5,000 sailors and 1,000 Marines in 1812, and they were the only pistols made for the infant U.S. Navy. The Model 1808 was Simeon North's second contract model as "the first official pistol maker of the U.S." and one of only two models manufactured with pin-fastened stocks. These pistols saw significant use during the War of 1812 against the British, as well as the Second Barbary War (1815). Given that many were no doubt lost or destroyed in service and over the following two centuries, any surviving example is rare. This example is correctly manufactured without sights, has brass mountings, a full pin fastened walnut stock, brass flash pan with fence, iron belt hook attached to left side of the stock and an iron back strap that extends from tang to the brass buttcap. The lock plate is marked with the eagle motif above "U. STATES" at the center and "S.NORTH/BERLIN/CON." vertically at the tail. The barrel is correctly without proofs and the walnut stock with no visible inspection marks, complete with a swelled tip hickory ramrod. Provenance: The Cranford Dalby Collection

Fine, with mostly bright iron surfaces, a few patches of minor pitting, untouched golden aged patina on the brass, a crack inside the front end of the ramrod channel, and defined lock markings. Stock is also fine with some light scratches and dents, a crack ahead of the rear lock screw, a minor hairline crack behind the lock, and defined edges. Mechanically excellent.