1096

Philadelphia Joseph Golcher Experimental Pattern Model 1794 Contract Horseman's Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:8,000.00 USD Estimated At:20,000.00 - 60,000.00 USD
Philadelphia Joseph Golcher Experimental Pattern Model 1794 Contract Horseman's Pistol
Catalog Special for iCollector Customers!

Order our two volume set with 6,000 color photos.

This is a great reference. You will also be mailed a copy of the prices realized after the auction.

Call or visit our website to order!
On 4 March 1794 a letter was sent from Henry Knox, Revolutionary War General and then-Secretary of War, to Thomas Fitzsimmons, Congressional Representative from Philadelphia, calling for the creation of 2 new arsenal to supplement Springfield, as well as a new supply of muskets and "1000 large horsemens pistols". After authorization was granted, Knox assigned Major Samuel Hodgen, Superintendent of Military Stores and Supervisor of the New London Arsenal in Virginia, to the task of developing the patterns for the muskets and pistol. For designing the pistol, Major Hodgen recruited Joseph Perkins, New London's master armorer, and Joseph Golcher, a former associate of Perkins. This is an example of the horseman's pistol produced by that team, bearing the Major's "H" inspection mark, indicating that this was the final product to serve as the pattern for the remainder of the contract. This massive pistol measures nearly 18 1/2-inches overall and has a 13 3/4-inch, 72 caliber, smoothbore, pin-fastened barrel with two distinct bands. The lock is flat with beveled edges and is stepped behind the hammer. The lock has a flat, goose-neck cock with beveled edges and an integral, fenced, iron pan. The lock plate, hammer and frizzen are engraved with simple line borders and the hammer is engraved with simple floral designs. "PHILADELPHIA" is stamped on the lock plate below the pan. The full stock has a grip with sharp downward turn. The stock is fitted with brass ramrod pipes, side plate, trigger guard and buttcap. An oval brass thumb piece is inlaid on the top of the grip. The trigger guard finial, the buttcap and the side plate are engraved with simple, floral pattern designs. The pistol has a wooden ramrod with flared tip. There are no visible maker's or military inspection marks on the exterior of the lock, or barrel. The left upper stock flat is stamped with a block "H" that is the inspection mark of Major Samuel Hodgen.
BBL: 13 3/4 In
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 72 bore
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN
Condition: Very good. The pistol barrel has a silver-gray patina with scattered age discoloration and light-moderate pitting around the flash hole. The lock has a brown-gray patina; there is moderate-heavy pitting on the lock face, pan and hammer. The stock is in good overall condition with several minor repairs. This is a rare and unique example of a 1794 Contract Horseman's pistol.