Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol manufactured by Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, c. 1842. The round .54 caliber smoothbore barrel has a steel swivel-mounted button head ramrod and is secured by a barrel band with strap extension that joins the side plate. The pistol has a brass half-moon front sight and oval-shaped rear sight on the barrel tang. The iron buttcap has an integral back strap. The lock plate has a beveled front and rounded rear with detachable brass pan and reinforced hammer. The barrel, barrel band/side plate, back strap/buttcap and trigger guard are National Armory Bright. The lock, barrel tang and trigger have a casehardened finish. The frizzen spring is niter blue. The stock is oil finished black walnut. The lock plate is roll stamped "U.S./R. JOHNSON/MIDDN CONN/1842". "US/JCB/P" is stamped on the top of the barrel perpendicular to the bore. A small "H" Ordnance sub-inspection mark is stamped on the left barrel flat, stock, trigger guard and pan. The left stock flat is stamped with the Ordnance sub-inspector's mark which consists of the script initials "JH" in an oval. The Ordnance final inspection stamp has the script initials "WAT" in an oval stamped vertically behind the sub-inspection mark. Robert Johnson manufactured an estimated total of 18,000 Model 1836 Pistols between 1836 and 1844. The Model 1836 Pistol was the primary handgun of the U.S. Dragoons and Mounted Rifles during the Mexican War. Model 1836 Pistols were still in service with state militia units at the start of the Civil War. A large percentage of the Model 1836 Pistols were converted to percussion ignition during the 1850s. The Model 1836 Pistol is generally considered to be the best made, best performing and most attractive of all U.S. military flintlock handguns.

Excellent. The pistol is in the original flintlock configuration. 80% of the casehardened finish remain on the lock, tang and trigger. The barrel, swivel ramrod and barrel band/side plate retain most of what appears to be the original armory bright finish. There are several minor spots of pitting on the trigger guard finial and buttcap. The detachable brass pan has an attractive patina and the frizzen spring retains most of the niter blue finish. The markings on the lock plate and barrel are crisp. The stock is excellent with sharp edges and near perfect Ordnance sub-inspection and final inspection marks. This is an exceptional example of a key U.S. martial flintlock pistol.