.54 caliber. 8.675" barrel secured by a single flat, spring retained barrel band. NSN. Bright finish, iron furniture, walnut stock. Single shot flintlock smoothbore muzzleloading pistol with dished notch rear sight, brass blade front sight and captive swivel ramrod. Rounded flint lock remains in original flint configuration with detachable rounded and bridled brass pan, straight frizzen toe and rounded, reinforced cock. Lock marked under pan in two lines "J.J. HENRY/BOULTON". Barrel unmarked, as is wood.

These contract military flintlock pistols by Henry are a true conundrum as to who they were made for and exactly when. The guns follow the basic form of the US Model 1826 Navy Pistol as produced by both Simeon North and W.L. Evans, but with a much more severe, nearly 90-degree grip angle and made without the belt hook that was an important feature of naval pistols of the era. Only one example has been noted in the literature with any type of US government inspection markings, suggesting that a sample of these guns that may have been submitted to the US government for a potential contract that never materialized. Most sources suggest that these guns were produced circa 1836 and were likely sold to militia companies or regiments, likely in the Pennsylvania area. Robert Reilly suggests that due to their extreme rarity, no more 50 pairs (100 guns total) were produced. These guns are very rarely found for sale and this is a solid example that remains in original flint that would be a fine addition to any serious and advanced single shot marital pistol collection. {ANTIQUE}

Very Good. Bore dark, oxidized and with some pitting. Metal moderately oxidized with a mottled brown patina with patches of darker discoloration and some erosion around the breech area. Metal mostly smooth with some moderate roughness and light pitting in the breech area. Lock and barrel remain in original flint, as confirmed by endoscopic examination. Markings on lock remain clear. Frizzen face shows moderate wear and some delamination of the striking surface, consistent with real world use. Lock remains mechanically functional. Wood with some wear consistent with age, showing some areas of minor chipped loss around inlet metal parts and a small crack on the counterpane at the rear lock screw.