This is an extremely rare example of a U.S. Model 1799 flintlock pistol that was manufactured by Simeon North of Berlin, Connecticut as part of two contracts with the United States for a total of 2000 pistols between 1799 and 1802. The North & Cheney Model 1799 pistol was the first official model of pistol adopted by the United States. It is also the first of the numerous U.S. contract pistols manufactured by Simeon North. Collectors estimate that only about 20 Model 1799 pistols still exist today; surviving examples are of great historical significance and are among the rarest U.S. martial arms. The pistol closely resembles the French M.1799 flintlock pistol but has several distinctive features including a one inch longer barrel, rounded breech assembly and extra barrel screw on the lower front edge of the frame. The pistol has a distinctive brass frame with no forestock, frizzen spring with rear facing apex, side mounted iron button head ramrod and one-piece walnut handle. The round, iron, smoothbore barrel does not have front or rear sights. The pistol has a convex, reinforced, hammer and an integral brass pan with no fence. The back strap is iron and the buttcap and trigger guard are brass. This pistol has the second style markings that consist of: "NORTH & CHENEY BERLIN" in an arched curve on the underside of the brass frame. The "NORTH" and "CHENEY" markings lack the initials in front of each name that are found on early Model 1799 pistols. The pistol breech is stamped: "V/US" in two lines perpendicular to the bore. The serial number "165" is stamped on the underside of the barrel the left side of the breech plug and on the underside of the frame. There is a round, indented, cartouche on the bottom of the barrel next to the serial number.

Very good. The pistol shows honest service use and has had some repairs made and remains in the original flintlock configuration. This condition is typical for a North & Cheney pistol. The Wertenberger letter states the pistol originally had a broken top jaw and hammer screws and was missing the top jaw and ramrod. The frizzen spring was an old replacement. The aforementioned parts have been replaced. The iron barrel, back strap, hammer, frizzen, ramrod and frizzen spring have an even, dark brown patina. The barrel and back strap have patches of surface rust and there is scattered light pitting on the other iron components. The brass frame, trigger and buttcap have scattered handling marks. The grip is also in very good overall condition. There are several small cracks between the trigger guard and buttcap and a hairline crack on the left side at the junction of the barrel and frame. This is a solid example of a very rare and highly desirable North & Cheney Model 1799 Flintlock Pistol.