Only a total of 1,000 Model 1817 pistols are believed to have been manufactured essentially to use up parts on hand including locks originally meant for pistols begun but not finished around 1807-1808 and Model 1803 rifles. They were built under Robert E. Lee, then a colonel and the superintendent of the armory. Interestingly, all 1,000 were never put to use and were still part of the armory inventory in 1850. This pistol has a longer barrel than the standard 10 3/4 inches and is one of 400 estimated to have been built with one of the 1807 and 1808 locks with noticeable "teat" at the tail following "SPRING/FIELD/1818." The lock is also marked with the "eagle & shield/US" at center and "JF" on the inside and has the goose-neck cock, curled frizzen toe, and spearhead shaped frizzen spring finial of the Type 1. The pistol has a brass blade front sight on the front barrel band strap, "P/eagle head/"V" on the left at the breech, "1818" on top at the breech, "AR" on the inside of the trigger guard bow, and two cartouches on the left flat.

Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with gray and brown patina and mild pitting on the metal, mostly distinct markings, chips at the tail of the lock, a sliver absent on the left side of the barrel tang, and thin horizontal crack through the wrist. Mechanically fine. These are the first of just three handgun models to be manufactured at the Springfield Armory.