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1864-Dated Civil War U.S. Military Experimental Pattern Percussion Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Black Americana Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1864-Dated Civil War U.S. Military Experimental Pattern Percussion Pistol
Guns
1864 U.S. Military Experimental Pattern Pistol
1864-Dated Civil War Period, U.S. Military Experimental Pattern Percussion Pistol, Choice Very Fine.
Possibly Unique U.S. Military Experimental Pattern Percussion Pistol, dated “1864” measuring 18" overall length with a 11 6/8" rifled steel barrel in .58 caliber. Marked on the top of its breech “US” and the date “1864”. On the left side of the breech marked with a 'P' over an 'Eagles Head' over 'V' over a small 'Shield'. The tang has a number “1” and an Inspector's initial “A”. The percussion bolster also has an Inspector's initial “A”. The U.S. Model 1863 Musket lock plate is marked “U.S.” over “SPRINGFIELD” in front of the Federal Eagle punch, and dated on the tail “1864” again tied with an Inspector's initial “A”. It has a steel nose cap and a captive ram rod. The steel trigger guard and barrel band are marked with the Inspector's mark “A”. Plus, its rounded brass butt cap marked with the Inspector's “A” and is equipped with a lanyard ring. The stock is solid, with its original varnish. There are a few minor loses at the rear of the barrel tang, scratches and minor dings from handling. This apparent Experimental Pattern Percussion Pistol is in good mechanical working order. This could very well be an extremely rare military pistol. It is known that Gun Makers were always providing Experimental Prototypes to submit to the Federal Government Weapons committee at the Springfield Arsenal in hopes of attaining a contract purchase. This pistol is quite similar to the U.S. Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine. However, this example has no provision for an attachable shoulder stock. We note with great interest that the tang has the Serial Number “1”. The brass butt cap is equipped with a lanyard ring for horse mounted troops. Unfortunate for these gun makers, there was Samuel Colt, and his many models of repeating revolvers!

According to Flayderman's Guide, p. 335-337 described the U.S. Model 1855 Pistol-Carbine and the Model 1869 Breech-Loading Pistol made at the SPRINGFIELD Armory (less than 50 produced). This example is very close in form to the Model 1869 pistol. Is this pistol one of the experiments that went no where ?

It is also possible that for those of you that are familiar with Francis Bannerman, this pistol may have been procured by one of his many contacts that were selling military surplus. This pistol may have been made up from left over Civil War parts ????

If anyone out there has one of these, please let us know. To date, we have not seen another.