This martial sidearm is a government contract Model 1836 single-shot flintlock pistol in good condition.  Gunsmith / manufacturer Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut, produced 41,000 such pistols from 1836 through 1844.  The 14” long military pistol is a .54 caliber smoothbore muzzleloader that has an 8½” round barrel with a bore that is slightly dirty but otherwise good. Barrel is finished factory-bright and wears a silvery satin sheen overall with just scattered marks of light pitting. Breech area near touchhole shows signs of buffing and hole was been re-drilled when the weapon was reconverted from percussion to flint. Barrel has a brass blade front sight and an oval shaped rear sight on tang. The mottled gray lockplate is flat with beveled edges forward of the hammer and convex at the rear.   Maker name on the lockplate is strong and sharp. Exhibits “U S. /  R. JOHNSON / MIDLtn CONN / 1837” in front of the hammer.   Lockplate plain behind the hammer. Strongly stamped on the upper barrel at the breech is “P.” No other markings visible.  Barrel band has a strap extension that joins the escutcheon.

The dark black walnut stock exhibits a pleasing finish and features a single prominent inspector’s cartouche on the flat opposite the hammer. Stock shows no cracks, chips or blemishes. Stock never cleaned. The hammer retains an original flint in its jaws. Hammer screw is original but does not match the hammer in patina. Brass flash pan is detachable and angles upward at the rear. The frizzen spring is reproduction but operates properly.  Mechanics are sloppy. Hammer falls at half-cock when trigger is squeezed and does not hold at full-cock. Mainspring and brass pan are original replacements and do not match in patina and wear. Small trigger retains traces of the original bluing. Trigger guard riveted to the plate. Round butt cap displays a long integral tang that forms the rear strap of the grip.

Weapon has a bright, swivel-type steel button-head ramrod.

Though a reconversion, this martial-marked M1836 flintlock pistol displays well.    [ad]

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