A limited number of these pistols, patterned closely after the French An. XIII cavalry pistol, were manufactured in the War of 1812 under contract with one or more states by Edward Evans of Evansburg, Pennsylvania, likely on contract with the state governments of Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Some examples are known with 1814 markings, suggesting a rough year of manufacture for the group. Marked "EVANS" on the lock at center and "P" in a circle stamped on the barrel on the left of the breech. The stock is unmarked. "XIII" markings in concealed areas including the bottom of the barrel at the breech, the side of the barrel tang screw and bottom of the lock bridle. The inside of the lock has a rough "H" stamp. A tapered iron ramrod with button head is fitted below the barrel. This exact pistol is pictured on page 39 of the book "U.S. Martial Single Shot Pistols" by Daniel D. Hartzler and James B. Whisker. Provenance: The Ray Layton Collection; The Robert A. Sadler Collection; Property of a Gentleman