The U.S. Navy contracted for the manufacture of 3,000 of these pistols in 1808 (2,000 pistols) and 1810 (1,000 pistols). These are sizable numbers considering in 1812 the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps only totaled around 5,000 sailors and 1,000 Marines. The final second contract pistols were not delivered until May 1816. Some are known in .64 caliber like this one while most are .68. The smaller caliber examples like this one appear to be the earliest produced given a August 20, 1809, letter from Isaac Chauncey of the U.S. Navy Yard in New York regarding the pistols being requested to be the same caliber as the ship muskets for all pistols "except 300 which have been proved." (See "Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845.") The Model 1808 was Simeon North's second contract model as "the first official pistol maker of the U.S." and one of only two models manufactured with pin-fastened stocks. These pistols saw significant use during the War of 1812 as well as the Second Barbary War (1815). Given that many were no doubt lost or destroyed in service and over the following two centuries, any surviving example is rare and valuable. This standard production example has correctly has no government inspection marks, and the only visible markings are a spread wing eagle over "U. STATES." in front of the cock on the lock plate, "S. NORTH/BERLIN/CON." vertically at the tail of the lock plate, and "V" on the top of the stock on the left near the breech. Internally, it is marked "V," "586," and "VI" in the top strap inlet, "586" on left side of breech plug, and "V" on the bottom of the barrel at the breech. The "586" numbers are believed to be batch numbers rather than true serial numbers given all noted examples are under 1,000 and duplicate numbers are known.

Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with a dark brown blend of artificial brown finish and patina on the barrel and back strap, gray and brown patina on the other iron, some mild pitting, aged patina on the brass, somewhat faded markings, repairs on the forend and around the rear of the lock, dark revarnished finish, and general minor marks and scratches. Mechanically fine.