The smoothbore, octagon to round barrel is signed "W MATHESON" and has simple incised bands at the transition point and no sights. The well-known Rhode Island gunmaker Welcome Mathewson (b. 1778) was active in the early 19th century in Burrillville, Rhode Island, by which time this style of pistol would have been antiquated, and the signature does not match known examples by him suggesting this pistol was from an earlier maker. It is built with an early bridle-less lock with stepped tail and "banana" profile. The furniture is mostly brass aside from the eye shaped silver wrist escutcheon. The ramrod entry pipe has some nice engraving on the finial, and the trigger guard has a shell finial. The stock appears to be cherry and has nice molding, raised floral carving by the upper tang, and an interesting hexagonal wrist profile.

Good with light gray patina and minor pitting on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the brass furniture and silver escutcheon, distinct designs, and moderate wear. The stock has a repaired crack visible in the wrist, distinct carving and molding, and general mild wear. Mechanically fine.