Model 1836 flintlock pistol manufactured in 1842 by Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut. The pistol barrel and furniture are finished "National Armory Bright". The lock has a dark, casehardened, finish and niter blue frizzen spring. The black walnut stock has is oil finished. The pistol has the distinctive swivel ramrod with button-shaped head, barrel band with strap extension that joins the side plate and integral backstrap and buttcap. The barrel has a brass, half-moon front sight; an oval rear sight is located on the tang. The lock has a detachable, fenced, brass, flash pan. The legend "U.S./R. JOHNSON/MIDDN CONN/1842" is stamped in four lines on the lock plate between the hammer and frizzen spring. The left side of the barrel is marked with the proof and inspection marks: "US/JH/P" parallel to the bore. A small "B" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the left barrel flat, trigger guard and underside of the flash pan. The left stock flat is stamped with the script initials of the Ordnance sub-inspector, "JCB" and the Ordnance final inspector "WAT" in oval cartouches. The Model 1836 pistol was the last U.S. flintlock pistol. It is considered by many experts to be the best made, most attractive and best designed of all U.S. military flintlock handguns. The Model 1836 pistol was the primary handgun issued to the U.S. Dragoons and Mounted Rifles during the Mexican War. Most Model 1836 pistols were subsequently converted to percussion.

Excellent. The pistol is in the original flintlock configuration and appears to be unissued. It shows only very limited storage wear. The once cleaned barrel, side plate/barrel band, ramrod, trigger guard and backstrap/buttplate retain the "National Armory Bright" finish. There are traces of storage pitting on the barrel and the bright finished components. The lock plate, hammer and frizzen have 90% or more of the dark casehardened finish. The frizzen spring retains about 50% of the fiery niter blue. The brass flash pan has a mellow patina. There is no flash pitting on the barrel or lock components and the pistol appears to be un-fired. The markings on the barrel and lock plate are sharp. The stock is in exceptional condition with raised, 'feathered', grain and sharp edges. The Ordnance sub-inspector and final inspection stamps are extremely crisp. This is an exceptional example of an important U.S. flintlock pistol, in unissued condition. It would be very difficult to improve upon this pistol.