Harper's Ferry flintlock pistol
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The model 1805 U.S. martial flintlock pistol, manufactured at the Harper's Ferry armory in Harper's Ferry, Virginia, was the first pistol manufactured by a national armory.
Harper's Ferry model 1805, 1806, 1807 and 1808 flintlock pistols were all identical and there were no changes in design during this model year sequence. The pistol was a .54 caliber, single-shot, smooth bore flintlock pistol intended for field duty and was issued as an Officer's pistol. Harper's Ferry model 1805-1808 flintlock pistols were known then as “horsemen’s pistols” and were produced in pairs; both pistols having identical serial numbers. With just one shot readily available without reloading, a "brace" was the standard issue (a pair of two flintlock pistols were known as a "brace"). Horse accouterments also included a standard pair of saddle holsters. No serial number higher than 2048 has ever been discovered—and that is exactly half of the number recorded as produced at the Harper's Ferry Armory. There are between 200-300 of these pistols known to exist today.
All modern-looking, fully functional representations of the original pistols are made with a larger caliber than the original, as well as a twisted bore for more accurate shooting. These modern, fully-functional representations of the original cost about $500 for base-priced, new-looking models without an aged patina, and the design and shape of the wood stock is not at all accurate. Some fully functional representations can even exceed $2000 in cost. Real Harper's Ferry Pistols are valued anywhere from $3,000.00 - $50,000.00. Click here for an example of a modern representation of the Model 1805 Harpers Ferry Pistol made by Pedersoli. Note the Pedersoli's wholly inaccurate non-"bulbus butt". Click here for an example of a hand-painted, non-firing representation of the Model 1805 Harpers Ferry Pistol with the proper "bulbus butt", mold taken from an original pistol.
This pistol is used today on the insignia of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.
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