Ends January 26, 2023
Rare A. H. Waters Metal Frame Turn-Off Percussion Pistol
.32 caliber. 4.34" octagon to round twist-off barrel. SN: 60. Bright finish, two-piece smooth walnut grips. Single shot, twist-off smoothbore barrel percussion pistol. Left barrel flat marked weakly in three lines: A H WATERS/MILBURY, MASS/1849 and with the assembly number 8. Most of the top line of the marking is illegible. Matching assembly number 8 is found on the left side of the frame and the inside of the triggerguard is marked E8. The frame under the left grip is also assembly marked E8 and with the serial number 60. The right grip panel is stamped 60 on the interior as well. Side mounted percussion hammer is secured with a spanner nut and follows the form and shape of the hammers found on the enigmatic Waters "All Metal" single shot pistols as well as some of his percussion Model 1836/1842 transitional variant pistols. The overall form and design is similar to twist-off pistols made by contemporary American gunmakers like Allen, Marston and Blunt & Syms but is also somewhat distinctly Waters. Interestingly this variant is not listed in Flayderman's. A unique pistol from one of the major US military arms contractors during the first half of the 19th century.
Condition:
Good. Metal cleaned to a mostly medium pewter patina with scattered oxidation and discoloration. Markings mostly legible except for the barrel marking which is weak, the top line in particular. Mechanically functional, however the percussion cone is battered and damaged and there is a hole through the side of the bolster area into the frame of the pistol that appears to be the result of a combination of casting flaws and caustic erosion from percussion caps. Barrel twists off easily but when tightly screwed on the front sight indexes slightly off-center. Bore fair, dark, dirty, heavily oxidized and pitted. Grips very good with some scattered bumps, dings and mars.
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