Page 93 - Auction84-Book1

Wonderful Pair of U.S. Martial Presentation Grade Pistols Seldom Offered for Sale
Born in Glastonbury, Connecticut, in 1788, George C. Reed joined the United States
Navy as a midshipman at the age of 16 and joined the crew of the USS Constitution under the command of his uncle, Capt. Hugh G. Campbell, in 1806. Promoted to Lieutenant after 6 years of service, Reed was still aboard the USS Constitution during the War of 1812 when the ship defeated the British warship HMS Guerriere on August 19, 1812. Reed boarded the British vessel to accept her surrender. On October 25, 1812, Reed, now aboard the USS United States under the command of Commodore Stephen Decatur, participated in the defeat of the British warship HMS Macedonian. The Naval History & Heritage Command website confirms that Reed was
an officer aboard the United States when the ship saw action with the Macedonian. During the Algerian War of 1815, Reed commanded the USS Chippewa and was later promoted
to Commander, serving in the Mediterranean and off the coast of Africa before he was promoted to Captain in 1825 to take command of the USS Constitution. In the late 1830s, he participated in actions against pirates and raiders preying on American shipping to
India and commanded the Second Sumatran
Expedition, a punitive expedition by the U.S.
Navy against inhabitants of the island of
Sumatra in response to the massacre of the
crew aboard the American merchant ship
Eclipse. He commanded the Philadelphia
Naval School from 1839-1846, commanded
the African Squadron from 1846-1847 and the Mediterranean Squadron from 1847-1849. Reed was promoted to Rear Admiral in July 1862 but died one month later.
CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and tang retain 30% original brown finish in protected areas with a mottled gray patina on the balance. Limited minor pitting is present near the bolster and muzzle. The hammer and lock plate retain 20% original case colors. The brass fittings retain 95% original silver plating. The stock is excellent showing a minor gouge on the grip and some scattered minor pressure dents with most of the oil finish remaining and crisp edges. The case is very good with minor warpage on the lid and a number of minor handling/storage marks with the velvet lining showing high spot wear. A unique pair of U.S. Navy Ames Model 1842 pistols that would make for a perfect addition to an advanced antique martial collection. B) U.S.N. Ames Contract Model 1842 Percussion Navy Pistol - NSN, 54 percussion cal., 6 inch round bbl., blue/ casehardened/silver finish, walnut stock. As described in “A.” CONDITION: Very fine. The barrel and tang retain 40% original brown finish with a smooth gray patina on the balance. The hammer and lock plate retain traces of original case colors.
The brass fittings retain 95% original silver plating. The stock is excellent showing a few minor pressure dents with most of the oil finish remaining and crisp edges.
Estimate: 30,000 - 45,000
Collector’s Fact
The Model 1842 pistol was the first U.S. martial percussion pistol manufactured under contract. Ames delivered 300 Model 1842 pistols to the government prior to the contract being signed.
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