Ezra Dodge Flintlock Naval Officer's Pistol
.44 caliber, 7" pinned octagonal barrel, n S/N. Bronze barrel, brass lock and mountings, steel hammer, frizzen and trigger. 4.25" flat, stepped lock, integral brass bridled pan with fence. Flat, beveled, swan neck cock with simple foliate engraving. Lock marked only with the name DODGE in a raised cartouche with star bursts on either side. Lock and barrel appear to be in their original flintlock configuration with no signs of being reconverted. Mountings are simple and rudimentary with visible file and finishing marks, particularly inside the triggerguard. Wooden rammer, retained by a single brass thimble and entry pipe, may be a later replacement. Ezra Dodge was a gold & silversmith, watch & clock maker and gunsmith, among his other trades, located in New London, CT. Flayderman notes that only a couple of examples of his pistols are known, and are believed to have been produced ca 1780s. Dodge had a relatively short life, living from 1766 to 1798, dying at the age of 32 of yellow fever. Consignor notes that this is the exact example of a Dodge pistol pictured in the Flayderman's Guide to Antique American Arms. The pistol is accompanied by letter from noted naval arms author William Gilkerson (Boarders Away Volumes I & II) noting that the gun is not a "holster pistol" as described by Flayderman, but certainly a private purchase naval officer's pistol. This is an extremely rare, early American made naval pistol from the Federal period.
Condition:
Fine. Bronze with a deep mustard patina. Mechanically function, very good bore with evenly distributed oxidation. Stock fine, with some light handling marks, bumps and dings, crisp edges and a couple of grain cracks in the obverse forend, the longest being about 2" in length. Really an outstanding example of an extraordinarily rare American made pistol that is more than 200 years old.
Array
(
[live_biddable] =>
[inquire] =>
[phone] =>
[phone_bid] => 0
[sold] => 1
[unsold] =>
[make_offer] =>
[estimate] => 1
[timer] =>
[current_bid] =>
[asking_bid] =>
[start_price] => 1
[buy_it_now_price] =>
[bid_activity] =>
)
Have a Similar Item?
Consign With UsLet Cowan's Assist With Your Shipping Needs!
Cowan's Auctions is one of the only houses to offer full service, in-house shipping for most purchases.
Our experts pack and ship over 5,000 purchases each year.
Shipping costs are included on every invoice to make getting your items as fast and easy as possible.
Cowan's is pleased to recommend alternate shipping options for your large or heavy purchases.
For more information, click HERE or contact shipping@cowans.com.