MEXICAN WAR AMES M1844 DATED US NAVY M1841 BOXLOCK PISTOL

MEXICAN WAR AMES M1844 DATED US NAVY M1841 BOXLOCK PISTOL

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Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 490-7354

Produced from 1842 through1847, these single-shot .54 caliber percussion pistols were the standard US Navy pistol in 1840s-1850s and widely issued. The 1852 Ordnance Instructions for the US Navy allotted them in numbers ranging from 60 to a second-class steamer up to 360 for a three-deck ship of the line. They have a six-inch barrel retained by a brass barrel band, are made with no rear sight, and the majority, like this one, also lacked a front sight. The ramrod is retained by a swivel, the grip is rather round in cross-section, and the buttcap round and inset. Flayderman estimated production at 2,000, including 300 dated 1842 that had lockplates with beveled front edge, and the “standard production,” like this, with flat lock plates fitted flush to the stock, dated 1843 through 1847. McAulay, however, states the Navy received over 3,800 of these boxlock pistols from Ames in the 1840s.

This one rates very good for condition. It is complete and all original, with swivel and ramrod in place, and with good mechanics. The metal is smooth with the exception of a some small, pinprick pitting near the nipple from firing that does not affect the barrel proofs, and some small dings on the right of the barrel band from tapping out the pin to disassemble the pistol for cleaning- a typical task for shipboard idle hands. The barrel is a thin brown in color with some gray showing through. The lockplate and hammer show a mix of silver gray with some thin blue from faded case color. The brass mounts have an untouched, medium aged patina with a few darker age stains, mainly on the buttcap. The wood has a pleasing dark brown color and good surface, tight fit to the metal, just slight rounding to the forward and rear edges of the lock apron and side flat, a small chip on the left just in front of the barrel band, and two small, curved, shallow pressure dents on the left grip.

The markings are on the lockplate “N.P. AMES / SPRINGFIELD / MASS” below the hammer and “U.S.N / 1844” vertically at the rear of the plate. The date is matched by the barrel proof at the left breech reading, “USN / 1844 / RP/ P.” The “RP” is inspector Richard Paine, a civilian employee of Springfield Armory detailed to the USN Bureau of Ordnance as a contract inspector. His initials show up on other naval arms such as the Remington Jenks carbine and on USN powder flasks. He was one of three civilian subinspectors assisting a USN Lieutenant inspecting these pistols from October 1842 to April 1845. (See Daum and Pate.)

These were carried by US Naval personnel during the Mexican War, which involved naval landing parties and we note in passing that when the USS Constitution sailed on its 1853-55 voyage it carried 1844-dated Ames pistols and that the USS Saratoga carried 40 pistols when it entered Tokyo Bay in 1853 and in 1854 the USS Susquehanna had 100 pistols aboard when it reached Yokohama. (McAulay, p. 28-29.) This is an essential piece in a US martial pistol collection or US Navy display.  [sr] [ph:L]

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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