.60 caliber. 9.125" pinned barrel. NSN. Brass barrel and furniture, iron lock, smooth walnut stock. Single shot flintlock muzzleloading smoothbore pistol made without sights with a brass thimble and entry pipe and a wood ramrod with iron wiper at the end. 4.675" flat faceted stepped lock with swan neck cock. Lock with integral rounded, fenced and unbridled iron pan, frizzen with curled toe and pointed frizzen spring finial. Frizzen with an old, brazed refacing apparent. Lock marked "MILES" in raised letters under the pan in a depressed ribbon cartouche. Barrel with a "P" proof at breech and stamped "PHILADA" and "PROVED" on the nocksform. Lock remains in original flint, and endoscopic examination of the barrel reveals no modifications, alterations, repairs or welding. The touchhole is well centered in the pan, but shows no taper and seems slightly oversized.

John Miles Sr. (1752-1808) was an English born gunmaker who emigrated to America in 1790 and established himself in Philadelphia where he obtained several contracts to produce military pattern flintlock muskets and pistols. He is probably most recognized for the 4,000 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania "CP" 1797 contract muskets that he manufactured, as well as for contract pistols that he produced for the states of both Pennsylvania and Virginia. Most research places the production of these rare, brass barreled Miles pistols circa the late 1790s. They are extremely rare on the market and very desirable early American secondary martial pistol. {ANTIQUE}

Very Good to Near Fine. Bore moderately oxidized and discolored with some minor erosion. Barrel and brass furniture with very attractive rich golden patina. Markings remain clear and crisp throughout. Lock remains in original flint and is mechanically functional. Wood lightly sanded with some old added finish and remains very attractive with decent edges. Several repaired cracks are visible inside the lock mortise, but they do not appear to be external, with only a small tight crack emanating from the lower rear edge of the lock towards the grip. A small repaired crack is also visible about half way along the obverse of the forend. A small hole is present on the counterpane with a small circular impression that suggests this pistol may have had a belt hook, or more likely a collection tag, at some point during its life. Otherwise the wood shows the usual bumps, dings and mars of a 220+ year old pistol with some minor wood loss around the edges of the lock mortise and the barrel pin holes.