This is an example of a scarce Flintlock horseman's pistol that was manufactured for the State of Virginia in 1813 at the Virginia Manufactory Armory in Richmond, Virginia. Experts estimate that the Virginia Manufactory produced a total of 2044 2nd Model Pistols between 1812 and 1815. These pistols were still in service at the outbreak of the Civil War and are known to have been issued to Confederate cavalry units in the opening months of the war. Surviving examples are scarce. The pistol is similar in configuration to the U.S. Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol manufactured at Harpers Ferry Armory. The round, 10-inch, smooth bore barrel is not fitted with front or rear sights. The wedge-fastened barrel has a prominent under-rib with attached swivel that secures an iron, button-head ramrod. The pistol has a flat, bevel-edged, lock plate with integral, fenced, pan and a pronounced tip at the rear. The reinforced hammer has beveled edges. The frizzen has a straight toe. The pistol has a three-quarter length, oil-finished walnut stock. The stock is fitted with a brass buttcap with two long spurs, a brass trigger guard with pointed forward finial, a simple brass side plate, brass ramrod tail pipe and a thin brass reinforcing strip. The lock plate is marked "1813/RICHMOND" in two arched curves behind the hammer and "VIRGINIA" in a single line ahead of it. The numerals "3/3" and "8" are stamped on the inside of the trigger guard. There are no other visible markings.