This exceptional, original U.S. Model 1819 Flintlock Pistol was manufactured by Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut, in 1822. Simeon North made 20,400 Model 1819 Pistols under government contract between 1819 and 1823. The pistol features a swivel mounted ramrod with button head and a sliding safety bolt. The swivel-mounted ramrod was borrowed from the ramrods used on contemporary British pistols. The Model 1819 Pistol was the first U.S. handgun with a swivel ramrod. The pistol has a round, smoothbore, barrel with brass front sight blade and tang-mounted, oval, rear sight. The barrel is secured by a spring-fastened, iron, barrel band with protruding lip. The side plate, trigger guard, backstrap and buttcap are iron. The forward edge of the lock plate is beveled and the rear is rounded. The lock has a sliding safety bolt, convex hammer with heart-shaped jaw screw aperture and detachable brass pan with no fence. The lock is dated "1822" below the safety bolt and is marked: "S.NORTH." is a downward curve over an Eagle and Shield motif. The Eagle/Shield flanked on one side by "U" and on the other by "S". "MIDLTN CONN." is stamped in an upward curve below the eagle. The left side of the barrel is stamped with "JD/P/US" proof and inspection marks parallel to the bore. The pistol has a black walnut, oil-finished, stock. The left stock flat is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspector's initials "JD" above the side plate and the Ordnance final inspector's script initials "LS" in an oval behind the side plate. A small "V" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the right side of the stock behind the lock plate. A "JB" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the left side of the handle and the junction of the buttcap and grip strap. Provenance: Formerly Charles Radcliffe Collection, formerly part of the famous William Locke Collection.

Fine. The pistol is all original and remains in the original flintlock configuration. The pistol has been cleaned; the barrel, ramrod and iron furniture are bright. The metal surfaces are smooth except for some light pitting surrounding the flash hole. The lock plate has a dark patina with traces of the original casehardened finish. There is some light pitting on the hammer and front face of the frizzen. The markings on the barrel and lock plate are crisp. The stock is in excellent condition with sharp edges and very crisp inspection marks. The stock shows minimal handling wear and is free from damage or repairs. This is an exceptional example of a North Model 1819 Flintlock Pistol that would be extremely difficult to improve upon.