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U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1807/1817 Reconversion Flintlock Pistol

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military / Hand Guns - Pistols Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1807/1817 Reconversion Flintlock Pistol
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U.S. Springfield Armory Model 1807/1817 Reconversion Flintlock Pistol

This is an example of one of only 400 Type I Springfield Model 1817 martial pistols and one of a few that had the 1815 dated lock. In the book HISTORICAL PISTOLS, Smith and Bitters state that their were less than ten 1807s with an 1815 lock. Springfield Armory only manufactured a total of about 1,000 of these pistols in Type I and the Type II with part of them made circa 1807-1808 and the balance 1817-1818. Production was stopped in 1808 when the massive 69 caliber was found no longer suitable and the smaller 54 caliber was being adopted for production at Harpers Ferry. Many of the parts were kept in storage at the armory. In 1817 the pistol project was started up again under the initiative of Colonel Robert E. Lee who was the Superintendent at Springfield Armory. These locks were left over from parts of the Model 1803 (Harpers Ferry Type) half stock rifles that Springfield Armory began production on in 1814 and halted in 1816. These locks were about identical to both the second production, post 1814 Model 1803 rifle and the Second Type 1817-1818 production Springfield pistol. They were already marked, dated and subsequently used on Model 1817 pistols. This pistol has the Type I features with a projection at the rear of the lock plate, curled toe of the frizzen with the pointed top and the large goose neck hammer. The lock is marked "SPRING/FIELD/1815" behind the hammer and eagle over "US" ahead of the hammer. The barrel date is unreadable with a recessed "P" and "eagle head V" proofs marked on the left side breech end of the barrel. The trigger guard plate is marked with an "EA". Brass blade front sight, iron mountings, wooden ramrod with swollen head and mounted with a full walnut stock with an added small silver shield on the left flat.

Manufacture: Springfield Armory U.S.
Model: 1817
BBL: 11 inch round
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 69
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Fair as reconverted with a mottled gray patina on the metal surfaces with some flash pitting on the breech end of the barrel and some pitting on the lock. The stock is fair as sanded and refinished with a shallow gouge on the left side ahead of the flat, and overall some minor dents and scratches. A hairline crack between back lock and sliver shield. Unless noted above the markings are clear. The hammer is a bit loose, otherwise the action functions well.