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1817-18 Vintage U.S. Model 1816 .54 Caliber Flintlock Pistol by Simeon North of Middletown, Ct. ** All-Original & Handsome 1st Type! **
Guns International #: 102610766 Seller's Inventory #: CBP22-26
Category: Military Pistols - Antique - Antique Pistols - Flintlock
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
Number of Active Listings: 184
Total Number of Listings: 14865
Seller: FFL Dealer
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Visa,Master Card, Discover,Check
Description:
This is a very nice all-original and handsome U.S. Model 1816 .54 Caliber Flintlock Pistol made by the Simeon North firm in Middletown, Connecticut. The Model 1816 Flintlock 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. The design history of the Model 1816 is a little complicated. This pistol was the 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 War of 1812, the Mexican-American War, and the Seminole Wars. 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 it's original flintlock configuration and converted to percussion by southern blacksmiths. Due to the extended service life of these military pistols, the large number of conflicts during their service, the high attrition rate of pistols being lost or destroyed in combat, and the large number of percussion conversions, finding an all-original example with it's original flintlock still intact is a very hard thing to do. This particular example is just that, an all-original and un-molested piece. As you can see form the pictures, this Model 1816 looks like it saw some combat in one or more conflicts. All of the metal parts show a consistent level of wear and an even, attractive patina. Nothing appears to have been replaced and looks 100% original form the factory, The pistol would originally 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 fromm anby 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. The lockplate marking is the early type, with Connecticut appbreviated with a "CON" rather than "CONN" of the later production which dtes production of this gun within the 1st two years of 1817 and 1818. 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.". As fas as function goes, the hammer still cocks back to full cock but does not seem to have a half-cock position anymore (possibly a broken notch on the hammer). The frizzen still has lots of tension on it to keep it snapped forward and open or down and closed. The trigger functions perfectly, and the flint-clamping mechanism on the original hammer is in good working order, adjusting open or closed smoothly and easily. The original brass flash pan is in great shape and tight to the lock, and the original flash-shole into the barrel is still open and clear. The one thing this pistol is missing is the original wooden ramrod for loading. It would have been made of hickory with a swelled tip. The next owner should be able to make or locate one that will work without too much difficulty. This very handsome Simeon North U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock would be an excellent addition to any general antique U.S. Military arms collection, and given all of the conflicts it saw service in, could also readily fit in with the weapons used in the War of 1812, The Mexican American War, The Seminole Wars, and even the American Civil War. All in all, this is one very cool antique U.S. Martial flintlock pistol, and it is priced to move. As an antique, this can be shipped directly to the buyer's home, no FFL needed.
Price: $1,895.00
Antique: Yes
Rifle Caliber: .54
Manufacturer: Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut
Model: U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock Pistol
Barrel Length: 9 & 1/16" Inches
Bore: Smoothbore
Condition: Good
Metal Condition: Good
Wood Condition: Good
Bore Condition: Good
Action: Flintlock Muzzle-Loading Single-Shot Pistol
Stock: Smooth American Walnut
Finish: Lock Case-Hardened / Balance of Metal was Browned
Sights: Fixed Brass Front Sight Blade
Manufacture Date: 1817-1818