49Original Item: Only One Available. This U.S.-made single-shot, smoothbore pistol is a lovely example of the Model 1842 percussion pistol, produced by Henry Aston & Co. of Middletown, Connecticut. Henry Aston manufactured approximately 30,000 Model 1842 Pistols under two government contracts between 1845 and 1852. The other main manufacturer of these pistols, Ira Johnson, had been a partner in Aston's firm, until he left to start his own company. Aside from the markings, the pistols from both firms were identical.

The Model 1842 was intended for use of Cavalry, and has a .54" caliber 8 1/2" barrel, with a with swivel steel "captured" ramrod for easier loading while on horse back. The pistol is 14 inches long in total, and is still in very good shape, looking to have been carefully cleaned over the years. There is a bit of past oxidation on the lock plate and cap nipple cone bolster, now cleaned away, but for the most part it looks great, with a nice polished patina on the metalwork, and some great figuring in the walnut stock. Over this pistol is in very good condition, with no signs of major repairs or arsenal reconditioning, just honest use and wear from service. The ramrod and swivel link are still present, making this a very nice complete example.

The lock plate on this example is marked U.S. / H. ASTON & CO. in front of the hammer, and MIDDTN / CONN / 1850 on the tail of the lock plate, with the markings crisp. The barrel tang is also faintly dated 1850, indicating production the same year. The barrel is proof marked on the side with inspector's initials, though the top line looks to have been mis-struck, as it is very faint: U.S. / GW / P. This is the marking of inspector George Wright, who inspected Aston pistols from 1850 to 1852, a relatively short amount of time. There is also a JH on the left facet of the barrel. This could be one of several inspectors working on pistols at the time, usually thought to be Joseph Hannis, John Hannis, or James Harris. Definitely some nice research potential here!

It has a very good condition walnut stock with Brass mounts, all lightly used condition with a lovely color and the original finish almost completely retained. The stock does have a small crack running from the rear lock screw to the barrel, a very common place to see these. There are however no structural cracks, and this really is a very nice stock, with great figured grain, particularly noticeable on the grip area and on the underside in front of the trigger guard. It has a high level of chatoyancy that looks great! We can see traces of two inspector cartouches on the left side of the stock, however they are unfortunately too faint to read.

The lock is functional, however the tumbler is worn so it fires at both half and full cock. The captured cleaning rod is fully functional, though a bit worn on the smaller end, so sometimes it does not stay in place inside the stock. The cap nipple cone shows some powder burn, and looks to be original. This Model was widely used in the U.S./Mexican War and then in the U.S. Civil War.

A lovely example of a historic gun in nice honestly used condition with a lovely figured walnut stock! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1850
Caliber: .54 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder with Percussion Cap
Barrel Length: 8 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 14 inches
Action: Percussion Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

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Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.