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Model 1816 North conversion
Guns International #: 102261770 Seller's Inventory #: 150
Category: Antique Pistols - Flintlock - Antique Pistols - 1500-1850
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: n2cw
Member Since: 1/10/21
First Name: Garry
Last Name: Simmons
State: Virginia
Zip: 23838
Country: United States
Phone: (804) 731-6020
Number of Active Listings: 10
Total Number of Listings: 25
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: USPS money order, cashier's check, personal checks
About Us: PAYMENT OPTIONS: Checks will be held 10 business days for checks to clear.
Description:
Model 1816 North conversion. (#150) This is an attractive U.S. Model 1816 .54 Caliber Flintlock Pistol (later converted to percussion) made by the Simeon North firm in Middletown, Connecticut. The Model 1816 Pistol was made by the Simeon North firm from 1817 until 1820 and was truly the first U.S. Military contract pistol to be delivered on a large scale. The total number of Model 1816 pistols produced was 19,374. It was the first U.S. martial pistol to be delivered on a truly large scale. The design history of the Model 1816 is a little complicated. This pistol was essentially the genesis of the earlier Simeon North Army Contract Pistol of 1811, which contract stipulated 1000 pairs of .69 caliber flintlocks with pinned barrels and brass furniture. During the production run it was determined that the pinned barrel could be improved by using a double-strapped iron barrel band and "Wickham's Improvement" (a spring-loaded band retainer). The last portion of the 1811 pistols were manufactured in that way without pins. With the U.S. getting involved in the War of 1812 another contract was given to Simeon North for 20,000 more pistols of the improved Model 1811 design, now called the Model 1813 at a cost of $7.00 each. The excessively large .69 caliber of the Model 1813 was almost immediately problematic, so production was halted after only 626 pistols had been delivered for the pistol to be redesigned. The redesign of the pistol consisted of reducing the caliber from .69 to .54 caliber, and extending the stock beyond the barrel band. The contract was renegotiated for the remaining 19,374 pistols to be built in the improved design at $8.00 each and the U.S. Model 1816 Army Contract Pistol was "born". Simeon North would complete the entire contract with the last deliveries made on January 26, 1820. The Model 1816 proved to be an excellent pistol for the period, well-made, reliable, and reasonably accurate for a smoothbore. It would remain in U.S. service for the next two decades, serving the U.S. in the Mexican-American War, the Seminole Wars and the Civil War. Large numbers of them were also issued to state militias under the Militia Act of 1808, and a good number of them would see new life in service with the Confederate Army early in the Civil War in both its’ original flintlock configuration and converted to percussion by southern blacksmiths. As you can see from the pictures, all of the metal parts show a consistent level of wear and an even, attractive patina. The wood is in very good condition and a “10” stamped behind the lock. The inspector’s cartouche has since worn away. Nothing appears to have been replaced. The pistol would originally have had a case-colored lockplate with the balance of the metal parts showing a browned factory finish. Wear and age has turned the lockplate to a dark gray brown while the barrel is more of a lighter brown-gray. All of the steel stock hardware such as the upper and lower tangs running the pistol grip as well as the rounded knob (skull-knocker) at the butt are intact and in good, solid condition. The original triggerguard is free from any damage, bends, or repairs and is in great shape. Both of the original lock plate screws are still in good shape with straight slots and the iron double-banded nosecap is nice and tight on the pistol with the brass front sight blade still in-place and in good shape. The "Wickam's Improvement" spring retainer for the barrel band is still in good shape with lots of tension on it. The lock plate still has most of the factory markings intact on the lower half but much of the top half has worn away (typical of these early markings). The lockplate marking is the latter type, with Connecticut being abbreviated as "CONN" which dates production of this gun within the last two years of production: 1819 and 1820. The original factory and U.S. inspection markings on the barrel are still there intact as legible, located on the left side of the barrel next to the lock and consists of a "P" over "U.S." Information about these conversions is scarce, but the prevailing theory is that these pistols were converted to percussion and a swivel ramrod added by John Grubb (probably) of Philadelphia for the Philadelphia Light Horse Troop. The City of Philadelphia then contracted Anddrew Wurfflein to inspect and his initials were stamped on the bolster. Very little is known about Anddrew Wurfflein other than he was a prolific gunsmith from Austria who settled in Philadelphia. His initials “A.W.” are normally on the bolster, but are worn off on this example. Beware: Oftentimes this pistol is described as a Confederate conversion due the style of the bolster and shape of the hammer, but this is NOT the case. The lock and trigger mechanisms function properly. This very handsome Simeon North U.S. Model 1816 pistol would be an excellent addition to any general antique U.S. Military arms collection. All in all, this is a good representative example of a seldom seen US military pistol that saw extended military service after its’ flintlock mechanism was outdated.
LEGAL: No FFL or C&R license is required! I will require a photo copy of your state ID or driver’s license with payment to verify your age. I am a collector – not a dealer, so it is your responsibility to know your local laws regarding the transfer of antique guns before . It is my intent to follow ALL national, state and local laws. If you win an item and the item cannot legally be sent to you, I will charge a 20% restocking fee.
All firearms are being sold as antiques and I make NO warranties or guarantees, whatsoever, as to a firearm’s safety. All firearms should be inspected by a qualified gunsmith before firing.
SHIPPING: No local pick up. No international shipments. Shipping within the continental United States will be $65 for long arms and $45 for pistols. Shipments to Alaska and Hawaii will incur additional charges (I’ll only charge the incremental difference in shipping costs). I’ll do my best to ship as quickly as possible, but please keep in mind that I’m an individual and don’t have a shipping department (unless you count my wife).
INSPECTION PERIOD: I offer a three day, no questions asked, inspection period. I’ll refund the purchase price but not the shipping/insurance. Returned firearms must NOT have been fired, disassembled, or altered in any way.
Price: $1,025.00
Antique: Yes
Handgun Caliber: .54
Manufacturer: North
Model: 1816
Barrel Length: 9-1/16