.54 caliber. 6" barrel secured by a single pinned flat band. NSN. Bright barrel, color casehardened lock and hammer, brass furniture, walnut stock. Single shot percussion muzzleloading pistol made without sights and incorporating a captive swivel ramrod. Box lock percussion lock marked in three horizontal lines forward of the hammer, "N.P. AMES / SPRINGFIELD / MASS" and in two vertical lines at the tail "U.S.R. / 1843". Breech marked "U.S.R. / 1843 / JCB / P". The "USR" mark on the lock looks completely legitimate, the marking on the barrel appears correct as well, but due to some tool marks and an apparent repair around the bolster, the "R" could be considered suspect. Counterpane with slightly soft script JCB (Joseph C Bragg) and WAT (William Anderson Thornton) cartouches.

Only 2,000 of the Model 1842 Box Lock Pistols were made on contract by Ames for the US Navy circa 1843-1845. However, the US Revenue Cutter Service, the predecessor to the modern Coast Guard, only received 144 of this model of pistol. Those Revenue Cutter guns were marked "USR" rather than "USN". This example appears correct with the correct 1843 date on the lock and barrel and the correct inspection marks for a Revenue Cutter pistol. {ANTIQUE}

About Very Good. Bore dark and oxidized with pitting. Metal lightly cleaned with scattered surface oxidation, discoloration, freckled patches of minor roughness and some minor pitting. Some tool and grinding marks are present on the reverse side of the percussion bolster, on the top of the barrel, suggesting an old welded repair. Markings remain clear and legible. Lock mechanically functional. Wood with moderate wear, a crack at the front of the lock mortise and scattered scuffs, scratches, marks, marks and ding.