Lot 3107: Extremely Rare and Desirable Lindsay Two Shot Percussion Pistol

Manufactured in the early 1860s by Union Knife Company, Naugatuck, Ct. for the inventor John Lindsay with only about 100 manufactured. The pistol is chambered for a 45 caliber superposed load and the single trigger operates the double hammers in proper sequence. This mechanism was also employed in a military musket and is one of the distinct oddities in American arms collecting. Lindsay was an employee of the Springfield Armory and his attempts at a government contract for the pistols were unsuccessful. The top of the barrel at the breech is marked "LINDSAY'S/YOUNG AMERICAN/PATENT'D OCT. 9. 1860" and the serial number is marked on the bottom of the barrel and frame. Blade front and frame notch rear sights, blue barrel, casehardened hammers, brass frame and fitted with smooth varnished two-piece walnut grips.

Very fine. The barrel has a 85% original plum brown. The brass has had a protective varnish coating applied some time ago, and the brass is bright in the areas that it remains on and has an attractive aged patina on the areas where it has flaked off. There are some scratches visible on the left side of the frame. The grips are also very fine with almost all of the original varnish remaining (under the same overcoat of varnish as the metal), and showing some very minor lower edge wear, and overall some scattered minor dents and dings. The markings are clear. The action is excellent.