xxHOLDxx AMERICAN REV WAR PERIOD OFFICERS FLINTLOCK PISTOL
Marked "I.P." for Joseph Perkin
This is a very rare Continental Army American made, American used flintlock officer's pistol, circa 1778-1783 . This classic American Revolutionary War officers pistol is in its original flintlock configuration and measures 13 1/2 inches overall with an 8 1/8 inch round .55cal smooth bore barrel. The full stock is curly maple and has brass mounts, including a triangular shaped side plate as found on many Pennsylvania arms. The trigger guard is from a pattern 1759 British Sea Service pistol with an acorn finial. The repurposed English lock is signed "IORDA" (probably originally IORDAN) and date "1743", which is salvaged from a pattern 1718 English sea service pistol and filed smaller. The barrel has British proofs as well as being marked "46" above "I P". I P undoubtedly stands for Joseph Perkin who was appointed armorer for the Philadelphia Armory after the British withdrew from Philadelphia in March of 1778 and was designated armorer from 1778 to the end of the Revolution in 1783. **HOLD**
Condition: Very Good. Original flintlock in its original flintlock configuration. The barrel and lock were probably cleaned 50-75 years ago but retains a nice mellow surfaces. The full figured maple stock has quite a bit of curl and retains a deep reddish old surface. The butt exhibits an ancient crack repair near the buttplate, a common type of damage exhibited in pistols which saw battle action. There is a 3 1/2" sliver missing from the obverse forestock and a 1" splinter on the lock side forestock.
References: 1). "BRITISH ORDNANCE SMALL ARMS" BY DeWitt Bailey, Ph.D. Pg.89 &114-5. for Sea Service pistol descriptions. 2) "Continental Arsenal Marks and Stamps" by Rex N. Kessler M.D.; Pg. 44 and 47 for "I P" stamp. 3). "Muskets of the Revolution" by Bill Ahearn, Pg.56-57 for "I P" stamp.