John Joseph Henry (1786-1836), often listed as just Joseph Henry, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured a limited number of flintlock military pistols under government contracts from 1807 and 1808. Henry was contracted to manufacture a total of 750 pairs in that period; however, the total number of pistols actually completed is not known, and many government contractors failed to complete their orders. A "Gun Report" article indicated he delivered 1,468 pistols and purchased 724 of them back. The barrel has a brass blade front sight and is marked "J.HENRY PHILA" on top with a sunken oval "eagle head/P" proof at the left of the breech, the lock has a pronounced teat at the tail, an integral rounded flash pan with high fence, a reinforced ring-neck hammer and is marked "US" at the center and "J. HENRY/PHILA" at the tail with "IG" on the inside, and the left stock flat has an encircled "V/D.P" (Daniel Pettibone) inspection stamp. Provenance: The Cranford Dalby Collection

Fine, exhibiting a mix of original brown finish and brown patina with a few patches of surface oxidation, some light flash pitting, and defined markings in the metal. The stock is also fine with some light handling marks, mostly defined edges, an absent chipped section to the left edge of the barrel channel, and a visible inspection stamp. Mechanically very good.