49Original Item: Only One Available. This U.S.-made single-shot, smoothbore pistol is a great lightly used 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 well marked, with only moderate  powder burn around the cap nipple cone bolster, and overall shows a lovely polished steel patina on the rest of the metalwork. The markings on the lock are VERY crisp, much more so than we usually see. 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 / 1851 on the tail of the lock plate, with the markings crisp. The barrel tang is also faintly dated 1851, indicating production the same year, and there is just a bit of powder burn on this marking. The barrel is proof marked on the side with inspector's initials, though it looks to have been mis-struck, as the bottom and top lines are partial: U.S. / JH / P. 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 great 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 grain. There are even TWO original inspection cartouches on the left side of the stock, fully legible. The first is a stylized "oval" W.A.T., indicating inspection by Captain William Anderson Thornton, who worked from 1841 to 1861, inspecting various small arms, specifically including pistols from Aston, Waters, and Johnson. Closer to the side plate there is also a "oval" GW, for inspector George Wright, who inspected Aston pistols from 1850 to 1852, a relatively short amount of time, and this is the first time we have seen one of his proofs. Really some great and interesting markings on this pistol!

The lock is functional and holds correctly at half cock, firing at full, and the captured cleaning rod is fully functional as well. 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 some great markings! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1851
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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