Very few of these pistols are known to exist today. Robert M. Reilly discusses these pistols in detail and has an illustration on pages 164 and 165 of his book "United States Martial Flintlocks" and states: "The 1798 date of parts issuance to McCormick, and the 1799 delivery dates establish these as being among the earliest known pistols ever delivered officially to the U.S. government, and while they were not actually manufactured, they must be regarded as the first type of U.S. martial handgun." The Smithsonian National Museum of American History has one of McCormick's "Ship" pistols and notes: "Robert McCormick was an Irishman who came to America and leased the Globe Mills in 1798 to produce firearms. He was contracted by the U.S. government for Muskets that same year. In 1799, he had another contract, but did not finish it because he was thrown in debtor’s prison in 1801. That contract was finished by an employee named James Haslett - who would move on to run the Virginia Manufactory." Very similar pistols from this contract are pictured and discussed on pages 88-93 of "Historic Pistols: the American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845" by Samuel E. Smith and Edwin W. Bitter. There is some minor differences between some of the examples. Only approximately 98 of these "Horseman" pistols are believed to have been delivered to the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia by Robert McCormick on August 6 and 10, 1799. Others were delivered by Thomas Annely and John Miles in 1797. Possibly as few as ten survive today. The delivery of these pistols in 1797 and 1799 makes them the first U.S. martial pistols contracted for the U.S. government and predate the delivery of the famous North & Cheney Model 1799 pistols (first contracted for in March 1799). These pistols were assembled by McCormick, Annely, and Miles from existing stocks of components in the Schuylkill Arsenal storeroom. Of additional significant historical interest is the fact that Captain Meriwether Lewis received "1P[air] Horsemans Pistols" from the Schuylkill Arsenal in May 1803. Lewis used one of his pistols on July 27, 1806, during the expedition against one of the Piegan Blackfeet. He wrote: "I jumped up and asked what was the matter which I quickly learned when I saw drewyer in a scuffle with the Indian for his gun. I reached to seize my gun but found her gone, I then drew a pistol from my holster..." He then chased the Blackfoot approximately 300 yards and fired at him with his pistol while the man was trying to drive off the horses and struck him. The hit was not immediately lethal, and the Blackfoot returned fire narrowly missing Lewis. The man reportedly later died of his wounds. This violent exchange is historically significant as the only shots exchanged between the Corps of Discovery and native tribes during the expedition. The fact that one of these McCormick "Horseman" pistols may have been used certainly adds historical interest to these rather enigmatic pistols. The smoothbore barrel has "US" and an "eagle/P" proof on top at the breech. The imported English lock is signed "Ketland/& Co." at the center and has "UNITED/STATES" vertically on the stepped tail. The stock has a brass band near the forend tip, "US" horizontally and "MCCORMICK" vertically on the left flat, and a smooth oil finish. Some other examples generally have a "V" in place of the "US" on the left flat. The furniture is all plain brass.

Very good as reconverted to flintlock configuration. The lock and barrel exhibit a smooth artificially enhanced dark gray patina, minor oxidation/pitting, and general mild wear. The brass has attractive aged patina. The refinished stock has repaired cracks through the midsection most noticeable around the top forward section of the lockplate. Mechanically fine. These early American martial pistols are incredibly hard to find and rarely come available for public sale. Do not miss your opportunity to add one of the rarest U.S. martial pistols to your collection.