This original martial sidearm is a mid-18^th century, single-shot flintlock pistol in very good condition. Gunsmith / manufacturer William Ketland, grandson to his gun maker namesake in Birmingham, is believed to have opened his own London shop in the 1760s to compete against the fine craftsmanship of the London gun makers. The Ketland company continued until 1831 when the firm ceased operation from financial problems.

The 14” long pistol is a .62 caliber smoothbore muzzleloader with a large 9” round barrel. Barrel wears a pleasing light gray scheen overall with just few areas of scattered light pitting. Top flat of barrel breech area is stamped “LONDON” and also exhibits a fine, one-line tooling design that extends for 3¼”. Left side breech has strong proof marks stamped clear and strong. Barrel tang is also tooled and is lightly ornate. All brass furniture and mountings. Barrel has no front or rear sight. The lockplate is flat with beveled edges forward of the hammer and rounded to a point at the rear. Lockplate face is plain save for a single edge of tooling along the outer border and the stamping “Ketland / & Co.” in front of hammer. No date on lockplate.

Black walnut stock exhibits a pleasing dark patina with no visible government inspector cartouche stamped on the flat opposite the hammer. However, the stock grip suffers from two major cracks behind the lockplate under the buttstrap. Cracks appear to show period repairs. Stock never cleaned. Lockplate strap screws show government inspector marks as do the screws on the backstrap, barrel band and butt cap. Reinforced hammer /cock retain a flint in its jaws. Brass flash pan angles upward at the rear. The frizzen spring has light traces of bluing. Mechanics are strong. Trigger guard riveted to the plate. Round butt cap displays a long integral tang that forms the rear strap of the grip. Pistol has an old hickory ramrod with a swelled tip. This single-shot flintlock Model 1816 pistol by Connecticut-maker Simeon North is a nice collectible at a reasonable price.

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire.

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