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Excellent U.S. Aston Contract Model 1842 Percussion Martial Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:3,750.00 - 5,500.00 USD
Excellent U.S. Aston Contract Model 1842 Percussion Martial Pistol
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Estimate: $3750 - 5500
Manufacturer: Aston H Pistols Model: 1842
This U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol was manufactured by Henry Aston of Middletown, Connecticut in 1848. Henry Aston manufactured approximately 24,000 Model 1842 pistols between 1846 and 1850 for the Ordnance Department and U.S. Navy. The pistol has a round smoothbore barrel with brass front sight blade and swivel mounted button head ramrod. The lock and barrel are "National Armory Bright". The distinctive combination barrel band/side plate, trigger guard, buttcap, and back strap are brass. The stock is oil-finished black walnut. The lock plate has the first style Aston markings which consist of "U.S/H.ASTON" roll-stamped in two lines in front of the hammer and "MIDDTN/CONN/1848" stamped vertically behind the hammer. The barrel tang is dated "1848". The top of the barrel is roll-stamped with the property, final inspection and proofmarks "U.S./SM/P". The Ordnance "W" sub-inspection mark is stamped on the side plate, consisting of single "W" is stamped on the side plate and trigger guard and a "P" is stamped on the bolster and back strap. The Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection marks which consist of the script initials "NWP" and "WAT" with oval borders are stamped on the left stock flat. The Model 1842 Percussion Pistol was the last single shot percussion handgun to see service with the U.S. Army. Model 1842 Pistols saw extensive use during the Mexican War and were still in limited service at the start of the Civil War. The Model 1842 Percussion Pistol was a well-designed, robust weapon that represented the final development of the single shot "horse pistol".
BBL: 8 1/2 inch
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 54
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition:
Excellent. The barrel, lock plate, bolster, tang, and ramrod retain most of the untouched original "National Armory Bright" finish with some slight age dulling. The brass barrel band/side plate, trigger guard and buttcap have a mellow patina. All of the factory markings and Ordnance inspection/sub-inspection marks on the metal components are sharp. There is no flash pitting on the bolster, percussion nipple or adjacent areas of the hammer, lock plate or barrel. The pistol has probably never been fired after proofing. The stock is excellent plus with raised, "feathered" grain, extremely sharp edges and nearly perfect Ordnance final inspection and sub-inspection marks. This is an excellent example of a key variation U.S. martial percussion pistol.