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LOT 1140
Desirable U.S. Harper’s Ferry Model 1805 Flintlock Pistol Dated
Collector’s Fact
One of only approximately only 1,000 U.S. Springfield Model 1817 pistols manufactured.
Collector’s Fact
One of only approximately 4,096 U.S. Harper’s Ferry pistols manufactured.
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1808 - Serial no. 1577, 54 cal., 10 1/16 inch round bbl., bright finish,
walnut stock. This is a solid representative example of the historic U.S. Harpers Ferry Model 1805 flintlock pistol. The Model 1805 was the first martial pistol manufactured by a U.S. armory and only the second official U.S. martial pistol model. Only a total of around 4,096 were manufactured c. 1806-1808. With its half-stock, under barrel rib, and brass furniture, including the band on the forend, it has a very distinctive appearance and a lot of similarities with the rare Model 1803 rifles also manufactured at Harpers Ferry. This pistol is one of an estimated 1,208 1808 dated pistols manufactured and has an un-sighted smoothbore barrel with “eagle head/P,”“US,” and “1577” marked on the upper left at the breech, spread wing eagle over “US” on the center of the lock, “HARPERS/FERRY/1808” on the tail of the lock, and a hickory ramrod with swelled brass tip. Appears to be in it’s original flintlock configuration. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the lower left forward area of the grip. CONDITION: Good with brown patina, mild oxidation, moderate flash pitting, and mostly sharp markings. Attractive aged patina on the brass. Stock is also good as re-oiled with small cracks on either end of the lock, a hairline crack on the left flat, and scattered dents and scratches from period use. Mechanically fine. An attractive solid representative example of one of the most desirable U.S. martial pistol models! Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 1141
1775 Dated Revolutionary War Era French St. Etienne Model 1763/73 Flintlock Pistol with Period U.S. Marking - NSN, 69 cal., 9 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Large quantities of French firearms were imported for use by the American revolutionaries in their struggle against the British crown. This example was manufactured at the St. Etienne Arsenal circa 1775, right at the beginning of hostilities in the American Revolution, indicating it very likely participated in the struggle for independence. “US” marked on top of the barrel at the breech and carved into the underbelly of the stock, three proofs followed by “75” on the left side of the barrel at the breech, and “1775” marked on the barrel tang. “crown/HR” over “Manufacture/de St. Etienne” marked on the lock. Features early naval pattern brass furniture and an iron ramrod. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked at the lower left of the grip area above the pommel cap. CONDITION: Good, showing mottled dark patina and scattered light pitting on the iron surfaces with the balance bright, and defined markings. Brass retains a pleasing original aged golden patina. Stock is also good with scattered scratches and dents, and a few cracks visible on the right. Mechanically excellent. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 2,500 - 4,000
LOT 1142 Very Scarce U.S. Springfield Model 1817 Type II Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 11 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Only a total of 1,000 Model 1817 pistols are believed to have been manufactured, essentially to use up parts on hand including components originally meant for 1803 rifles and the abandoned “Model 1807” pistols begun but not finished around 1807-1808 due to .69 caliber being deemed excessive for pistols. 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. The lock is the “type II” version with a rounded tail, round frizzen spring finial, and reinforced double neck cock and is marked (faint) with the eagle and shield motif over “US” at center, “SPRING/FIELD/1818” on the tail. The front of the barrel band has a brass blade front sight. The barrel is marked “P/eagle head/V” and “1818” at the breech. “EA” is marked on the trigger plate, and “AR” inside the trigger guard bow. The left stock flat is marked with a faint oval cartouche ahead of a faint script cartouche. “B” is marked on the lower left of the grip near the pommel. “GDM” (George D. Moller) collection initials marked behind the lower tang. CONDITION: Fair with extensive scattered moderate pitting and dark oxidation. Stock is good with scattered scratches, a few small chips ahead of the lock, and darkening at the edges. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1143
Unusual French Model 1763/66 Style Flintlock Pistol with Dog Catch and Carved Stock - NSN, 69 cal., 8 1/8 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. This is a French martial pistol that appears to have been restocked for private use. Given the large number of French arms and arms components imported during the American Revolution, it is possible it was restocked by a German-American gunsmith. The main metal components clearly come from a French Model 1763/66 pistol. However, the stock features raised flats as well as floral carving not found on the martial pistols, and the lock has a cock with notch at the heel and a corresponding dog catch with fairly ornate design. The barrel is also approximately 1 inch shorter than standard. CONDITION: Good as period restocked and subsequently refinished with a mixture of applied artificial brown and brown patina on the lock and barrel along with mild pitting, traces of original markings on the lock, natural aged patina on the brass, and moderate overall wear. The stock is fair and has a large chip absent under the tail of the lock, filled cracks and insect damage in the wrist and left flat, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The Richard P. Mellon Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250
LOT 1144
Joseph Henry U.S. Contract Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 54 cal., 10 inch round bbl., brown finish, walnut stock. Joseph Henry of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, manufactured a limited number of flintlock military pistols under government contracts from 1807-1808. Henry was contracted to manufacture a total of 650 pairs in that period; however, the total number of pistols actually completed is not known, and many government contractors failed to complete their orders. A “Gun Report” article indicated he delivered 1,468 pistols and purchased 724 of them back. The barrel has a brass blade front sight and is faintly marked with “J. HENRY PHILA” and remnants of an “eagle head/P” proof. The lock has a pronounced teat at the tail, a rounded flash pan with high fence, reinforced ring-neck hammer and is faintly marked “US” at the center and “J. HENRY/PHILA” at the tail. CONDITION: Fair, retains 80% artificial refinished brown finish on the barrel and lock with scattered light to moderate pitting underneath the finish. Stock is good with some light scratches, a glued hairline crack ahead of the lock, repaired sections on the right front, behind the lock, and on the lower left above the pommel cap. Mechanically fair, hammer hangs up at half cock. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 1,400 - 2,250