Guns International #: 101762558
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-243
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Guns International #: 101762558
Category - Military Pistols
- US
- Military Pistols - Antique
Seller's Information
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Seller: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc.
Company: Antique & Modern Firearms, Inc. Member Since: 4/27/15
State:
Kentucky
Zip: 40503
Country: United States
Phone: (859) 276-1419
Fax: (859) 278-0838
Platinum Seller
Active Listings: 190
Total Listings: 14879
Seller Type:FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns and accessories.
Payment Methods: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
1854 Vintage U.S. Military Model 1842 Dragoon Pistol by I.N. Johnson of Middletown, CT. in .54 Caliber Cap & Ball
** All-Original! **
Description: This is a very clean and handsome all-original U.S. Military Model 1842 .54 caliber percussion Dragoon pistol made by the Ira N. Johnson firm in Middletown, Ct. in 1854. This Model 1842 is exactly as it left the factory, never modified or "improved" by some collector along the way. The U.S. Model 1842 pistol is particularly important as it was the U.S. Army's very first officially issued percussion pistol following the Model 1836 flintlock. As you can imagine, this was a huge leap forward in technology and gave the individual soldier much more effective killing power. The U.S. Model 1842 was built by three different firms, the Ira N. Johnson and Henry Aston firm which were both in Middletown, Ct., and the Palmetto Armory in Columbia, S.C.. At all three factories the Model 1842 was built using precisely gauged parts, making parts interchangeable from one pistol to the next, and from one manufacturer to another, which was also a first in U.S. Military pistols. The U.S. Model 1842 was designed as a cavalry or dragoon pistol and as such was issued in pairs along with a twin pommel holster. This .54 caliber smoothbore percussion pistol featured a 8.5" inch round barrel, a polished lockplate, hammer, and barrel, a blued trigger, a brass triggerguard, butt, and barrel band, a swivel-type captive ramrod, and a Black Walnut stock. The Model 1842 had no rear sight but was fitted with a dovetailed brass blade. The Model 1842 proved to be an extremely well-made and reliable weapon, and served U.S. Cavalry forces well at the end of the Mexican War at the Battle of Palo Alto, on the western plains and in Texas fighting various American Indians, and even to some degree in the U.S. Civil War, long after percussion revolvers had seen widespread adoption. This particular example is a Model 1842 made by Ira N. Johnson in 1854. As you can see from the pictures, it is in very good condition overall and has never been excessively cleaned. All of the steel parts have turned to a brown-gray patina but show very little to no pitting. All of the factory markings are fully intact and legible on both the barrel and lockplate, and all of the U.S. Military acceptance markings are also still intact and fully legible. The lockplate is stamped with "Middtn Conn 1854" behind the hammer and with "US" over "I.N. Johnson" ahead of the hammer. The barrel is stamped with the word "STEEL" on the left flat of the barrel and with "US" over "JCB" over "P" at the top left opposite the nipple. The barrel is dated "1854" on the upper steel tang section. The smooth bore in the 8.5" inch barrel is in great shape, nice and smooth with only a few tiny spots of light pitting and no major defects. The original captive swivel ramrod is in good condition and perfect working order, and is still nice and tight when stowed away under the barrel. All of the original screws in this pistol are in great shape as well, with clean slots and nice round heads on them. All of the original brass hardware is a handsome aged mustard brown color and is free from any major damage or defects, showing only some light handling marks and wear you would expect to see on a combat-used martial pistol of this vintage. The original stock on this Model 1842 is in great shape overall, free from any cracks, chips, repairs, or major damage. The Black Walnut shows lots of scattered minor handling marks and pressure dents but no eyesores or bad spots that stick out. The worst of the damage is probably the four circular dents on the left side of the stock opposite the lock where it looks like the pistol was used to hammer a nail in or something. The wood to metal fit is superb on this pistol and all of the original brass stock hardware fits it perfectly. There are two beautiful original cartouches still visible on the left side of the stock opposite the lock. The first one is a boxed "JCB" (which matches the "JCB" stamped on the barrel) which stands for U.S. Navy Lt. John C. Beaumont, an armory sub-inspector between 1852 and 1855, it is his last initial "B" which is also stamped crisply on all of the brass stock parts. The other cartouche is the final inspection and U.S. Military acceptance cartouche and is a more oval shaped box with the initials "WAT" for Captain William Anderson Thornton, a U.S. Military inspector from 1840 until 1861. Both of these cartouches are fully intact and legible despite there being a circular dent in the "W" of Captain Thornton's stamp. This I.N. Johnson Model 1842 Cavalry/Dragoon pistol is still in perfect working order with both the half-cock and full-cock hammer positions intact and the trigger fully functional. We have no doubt that this pistol would still function just as well today as the day it left the Connecticut factory over 167 years ago! If you have been looking for a super-nice, all-original example of this historically important U.S. Martial pistol for your collection this 1854-production I.N. Johnson example would be a superb choice. SOLD Antique: Yes Rifle Caliber: .54 Manufacturer: Ira N. Johnson (Middletown, CT) Model: U.S. Model 1842 Cavalry Pistol Serial Number: None Barrel Length: 8.5" Inches Condition: Very Good Metal Condition: Very Good Wood Condition: Very Good Bore Condition: Very Good Action: Single Shot Cap & Ball Muzzle Loading Pistol Sights: Fixed Iron Sights Manufacture Date: 1854 |
Guns International #: 101762558
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-243
Guns International #: 101762558
Seller's Inventory #: CBP21-243