overall: 12 7/8 in x 6 in x 2 in; 32.7025 cm x 15.24 cm x 5.08 cm
Object Name:
pistol
pistol, flintlock
Other Terms:
pistol; Firearms; Flintlock; .69 In; Smooth Bore; Muzzle Load; Sa
Place made:
United States: Maryland, Baltimore
Date made:
ca 1790
Description:
Physical Description:
This .67 caliber U.S. smoothbore holster pistol was made by Halbach and Sons. It has a pin fastened full walnut stock, an iron barrel, and brass furniture. It has a large shell design relief carving on stock around tang.
There is an eagle and shield with a cluster of 13 stars on the butt cap. The trigger guard and side plate are engraved. There are no other stamps.
History:
Halbach and Sons originated in Baltimore, MD around 1780. They were famous for producing bronze cannon muzzle style barrels and bronze mountings. A Halbach and Sons pistol can also be identified by the brass butt cap that depicts an American spread eagle surrounded by 13 stars. It will also have a raised carving around the tang and a lockplate stamped “Halbach & Sons.”
This pistol is an example of the lack of standardization in the 18th century. The brass butt cap has an American folk art style engraving but it does not have any of the stamps that signify it as a Halbach and Sons pistol.
References:
Flayderman, Norm. Flayderman’s Guide to Antique American Firearms…and their Values, Gun Digest Books, Iola, 2007. 9th edition
Gardner, Robert E. Col. Small Arms Makers: A Directory of Fabricators of Firearms, Edged Weapons, Crossbows and Polearms, Crown Publishers Inc, New York: 1963, p. 82.
Smith, Samuel E. and Edwin W. Bitter. Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock 1760-1845, Scalamandre Publications, New York: 1986, p. 118.
