Object Details
- Hall, John H.
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .54 caliber smoothbore breech-loading flintlock pistol was made by John. H. Hall. It has a walnut stock, a pin fastened bronze barrel, a bronze breech block, brass mountings, an iron reinforcing band at the end of stock, iron strips along breech block, checkered grips, an acorn filial on the trigger guard, and decorative engravings on the tang and tang screw.
- The breech is stamped “55”.
- History:
- John H. Hall shares a joint patent with William Thornton for the breech loading flintlock rifle on May 21, 1811. This pistol was likely produced after the patent date. Hall was employed by many different armories including Harpers Ferry from 1816 through 1840.
- Because Hall was known for breech loading flintlock rifles, finding a pistol – like this one- that is a breech loader is extremely rare.
- References:
- Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition.
- Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 82.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- The Adriana and Edwin W. Bitter Family Collection
- ca 1810
- ID Number
- 1988.0518.04
- accession number
- 1988.0518
- catalog number
- 1988.0518.04
- collector/donor number
- P87L
- serial number
- 35
- Object Name
- pistol
- pistol, flintlock, breech-loading
- Other Terms
- pistol; Firearms; Flintlock; .48 In; Smooth Bore; Breechloader; 03
- Physical Description
- bronze (part material)
- iron (part material)
- wood (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 14 1/2 in; 36.83 cm
- overall: 14 1/2 in x 6 3/4 in x 1 3/4 in; 36.83 cm x 17.145 cm x 4.445 cm
- place made
- United States: Maine, Yarmouth
- See more items in
- Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Military
- Military
- The Bitter Collection of Firearms
- National Museum of American History
- Record ID
- nmah_438589
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-675b-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
