In the 1830s and 1840s some of the world’s best target rifles and pistols were manufactured in the New England shop of Edwin Wesson, older brother of Daniel Baird Wesson of Smith & Wesson fame and Frank Wesson. It is possible that Daniel had a hand in making this pistol. Daniel was his brother's apprentice in the 1840s when the shop was in Northboro, Massachusetts and worked with him for a short period after finishing his apprenticeship before Edwin's unexpected death from a heart attack in January 1849. Guns marked with the Hartford address, like this pistol, were manufactured towards the end of Edwin's career. The top barrel flat is marked "WESSON/HARTFORD CT/CAST STEEL". An American eagle flanks both ends of the barrel marking. The barrel also has provision for a false muzzle. The pistol is fitted with a globe front sight and an adjustable combination notch/peep sight (base cracked). The back strap, trigger, breech plug, frame and fish hammer feature engraved floral scrollwork, and amongst the scrollwork on the sides of the frame are engraved game bird scenes. Both grip screws have floral blossom engraved heads. The walnut shoulder stock features beautifully engraved German silver buttplate, patch box and oval inlay. While much of Edwin's Wesson's work is rarely encountered in today's market, his pistols are far rarer than his rifles.