Object Details
- North, Simeon
- Description
- Physical Description:
- This .69 caliber smoothbore flintlock Model 1811 pistol was made by Simeon North. It is pin fastened with a full stock and wooden ramrod with a swelled tip. It has brass mountings including an umbrella shaped butt cap.
- The lockplate is stamped under the flashpan with an eagle over “U. STATES” and at the rear is “S. NORTH/BERLIN/CON.” Ordnance inspector “HHP” is stamped in the stock. The barrel has proofmarks. One proofmark is a sunken oval with an eagle head over “CT” and the letter “V” below it. “P” is stamped on the back strap by the tang screw. No internal serial number.
- History:
- North completed the first batch of Model 1811 pistols to change the way the barrel fastened to the stock making disassembly easier. This type of pistol transitioned into an iron double strap barrel band attaching the barrel to the stock. This alteration was created by U.S. Inspector of Arms, M. T. Wickham.
- This type of pistol is unusual because it has no internal serial numbers. Authors of Historic Pistols, Edwin Bitter and Samuel Smith believe this was due to a first attempt to add proofmarks to the barrel. Prior to this pistol, barrels were unmarked.
- 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, 142.
- Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 142.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- Credit Line
- The Adriana and Edwin W. Bitter Family Collection
- ca 1812
- ID Number
- 1983.0777.08
- accession number
- 1983.0777
- catalog number
- 1983.0777.08
- Object Name
- pistol
- pistol, flintlock
- Other Terms
- pistol; Firearms; Army; Flintlock; .69 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa
- Physical Description
- metal (part material)
- wood (part material)
- Measurements
- overall: 15 in; 38.1 cm
- overall: 15 in x 6 3/8 in x 2 3/8 in; 38.1 cm x 16.1925 cm x 6.0325 cm
- place made
- United States: Connecticut, Berlin
- 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_438544
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746ab-a0ac-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
