Interesting pistol

[Clark Badgett]

From the JM Davis museum in Claremore, OK. Sorry the pictures aren’t better. Its hard to get good pictures when the gun is behind glass and above head level.

[Mattox Forge]

Interesting mash up. I wonder where the barrel came from. Was it made by the gunsmith who did the conversion, or repurposed from another pistol. It looks English, but the English did not typically make rifled pistol barrels.

Mike

[Daryl]

I am likely wrong, but I see it as an 1816 Martial pistol converted to cap-lock and the .45cal. rifled barrel put on in place of the original .54 smoothbore.

[Clark Badgett]

Interesting mash up. I wonder where the barrel came from. Was it made by the gunsmith who did the conversion, or repurposed from another pistol. It looks English, but the English did not typically make rifled pistol barrels.

Mike

We may never know unless the barrel is marked. Some day I plan to see if they have any records with more info that what’s on the display cards. I’m not holding out hope for that though.

[Clark Badgett]

I am likely wrong, but I see it as an 1816 Martial pistol converted to cap-lock and the .45cal. rifled barrel put on in place of the original .54 smoothbore.

You are not wrong. The barrel band also had the front portion removed and the top formed to the barrel shape. The Wickham spring is still visible in front of the band.

[Mattox Forge]

I am likely wrong, but I see it as an 1816 Martial pistol converted to cap-lock and the .45cal. rifled barrel put on in place of the original .54 smoothbore.

The display card says it's an M1816 North converted to percussion and fitted with a rifled 13-1/4" long 6 groove  .45 caliber barrel.

I would guess it was done while the gun was still flint. I wonder if this isn't actually based on an earlier M1813 that the M1816 was derived from. The M1816 was an altered version of the M1813 which was pretty disliked because of the .69 caliber. Apparently it was called the "Wrist Wrecker". It would have been a good candidate for rebarreling.

Mike

[Clark Badgett]

My pictures are clearer and it says its an 1816 Simeon North pistol. Did the 1813 use the brass pan that seems to show up on everything that was adopted in 1816? I’m no pistol expert for certain. I just wish I could find this lock plate and I would build one or two.
Some 1816 S. North pistols is original configuration in the same museum.

[Mattox Forge]

According to the the Rifle Shoppe's description of the 1813-1816 pistols, that rifled pistol is an 1816. The wood protrudes past the band.

http://www.therifleshoppe.com/catalog_pages/us_pistols/(650).htm

Mike

[Daryl]

I am likely wrong, but I see it as an 1816 Martial pistol converted to cap-lock and the .45cal. rifled barrel put on in place of the original .54 smoothbore.

You are not wrong. The barrel band also had the front portion removed and the top formed to the barrel shape. The Wickham spring is still visible in front of the band.

I see what you mean about the band cut and front made to fit.  Taylor has a .54 North Martial pistol.