This is an extraordinary example of a flintlock dueling pistol that was made by Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut. This pistol was formerly owned by William M. Locke and is illustrated and described on page 416 of "THE WILLIAM M. LOCKE COLLECTION". A description of the pistol by R.L Wilson states that it may have been the last dueling pistol made by Simeon North. Wilson further states that the pistol originally came from the Simeon North family. The pistol has a Damascus finished, smoothbore, octagon barrel with dovetailed iron front sight. The barrel has a Damascus finished under-rib with a single iron ramrod pipe. "CONNECTICUT" is engraved on the top flat in Old English lettering surrounded by flourishes. The casehardened breech plug is inlaid with two gold bands and has a gold chased flash hole. An indented, oval, gold, maker's cartouche on the top of the breech is marked: "S. NORTH/MIDDLETOWN" along the borders and "CONN." in the center. The bright finished lock is flat and has an integral, waterproof, iron pan, and sliding bar safety. The reinforced hammer has beveled edges and the frizzen has a curled toe. The lock is not marked and has no decorations. The pistol has a single set trigger. The wedge fastened, highly figured, walnut stock has a horn forearm tip, finely checkered grip and blued iron tailpipe. The stock has an oval, silver escutcheon on the wrist. The casehardened barrel tang has an integral rear sight and is decorated with deeply cut engraving. The iron trigger guard has a prominent finger spur and delicate, acorn shaped finial. The trigger guard is blued and decorated with well executed floral engraving and a Britannic Shield. The pistol has a hickory ramrod with a horn tip. "34" is stamped on the bottom of the barrel and breech plug and in the stock barrel channel.

Fine. The barrel retains one third of the faded Damascus finish. There is some scattered discoloration and very light pitting along the right flat. The edges are sharp and the engraving on the top flat is crisp. The breech plug and tang retain most of the dove-gray case colors. The lock has most of the original bright finish with some minor age spotting. There is no flash pitting on the lock, breech plug or barrel. Nearly all of the high polish blue finish remains on the trigger guard and tailpipe. The engraving on the trigger guard and tang is crisp. The oil-finished walnut stock is in very fine condition. The checkering on the grip has only minor handling wear. This is a superlative example of an extremely rare and very high quality flintlock dueling pistol made by one of America's finest gun maker's with provenance to the famous William M. Locke collection. This is your opportunity to own something that usually is in a museum and unobtainable at any price!