James Haslett immigrated to the U.S. from Ireland in 1798 and was initially the superintendent of Robert McCormick's gunshop in Philadelphia where he oversaw production of U.S. contract muskets. He moved to Baltimore in 1803 and established his gunshop at 28 Water Street in Baltimore by 1805 where he produced high quality arms and also imported quality pieces from Europe. He eventually took his son into the firm and was operating as James Haslett & Son by the publication of the 1829 Baltimore directory. During the War of 1812, he served as a major in the Maryland militia, and provided swords, muskets, and pistols; and is known to have repaired Revolutionary War surplus arms for use against the invading British Army. He was considered to be among the finest gunmakers in our young country, and this pair of pistols certainly seems much more like the high quality pistols produced by fine makers in London than those typical of the early U.S. They have "HASLETT/BALTIMORE" on the golden hallmarks on the left sides of the actions and gold lined flash pans. The engraving consists of stands of arms, floral designs, and burst patterns. They have post and notch sights. They follow the Queen Anne style popularized a century earlier but still especially prominent in England and the U.S. during the Revolution. By the early 19th century, many makers switched to using box lock actions, but this pair follows the full Queen Anne pattern; they have lock plates integrally forged with the breeches and the trigger plates, turn-off barrels, reversed frizzen springs (with the addition of the early 19th century wheel improvement), and side mounted cocks. The grips have silver wire and pin designs, silver buttplates and thumb plates (faint hand scratched "JL" on gun A), and are finely checkered. Gun A is numbered "1" on the barrel and breech. The pair comes in a fitted case with a key, several lead balls, oil bottle, a pair of screwdrivers, and another small tool with turn screw on the tip.

Very good. Mostly a dark brown patina overall and some mild spotting. The grip is fine and has mostly crisp checkering with some minor wear spots and some small slivers of inlay absent. The mainspring is weak, but it is mechanically functional.

See A.

Very good as partially restored. There is some artificial brown on the lower tang, and the balance has dark brown patina and mild oxidation. The cock has been replaced, and the frizzen spring screws filed. The stock has a repaired break at the tang screws, partially worn checkering, and minor scratches and dings. Mechanically fine. The case is very good with mild handling and storage wear, fading and slight tears in the maroon lining, and fine accessories. This is a rare opportunity to get your hands on a pair of pocket pistols by one of early America's finest gunmakers.