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. 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 example is correctly manufactured without sights, has brass mountings, a full pin fastened walnut stock, brass flash pan with fence, iron belt hook attached to left side of the stock and an iron back strap that extends from tang to the brass buttcap. The lock plate is marked with the spread eagle motif above "U. STATES" ahead of the cock. Note that this pistol does not have the standard Simeon North marking vertically behind the cock. The barrel is correctly without proofs. Complete with a wooden ramrod with swelled tip.

Fine. The pistol retains some streaks of brown finish with some scattered minor spotting. The brass has a mixed aged patina. The action has a smooth gray patina. The refinished stock is cracked in the wrist and has a spliced repair near the muzzle; otherwise, good with some minor handling marks. A protective coat of varnish has been applied over all surfaces many years ago and has now yellowed with age. Appears to be original flintlock configuration.