OK... peer-reviewed... not pear-reviewed. Why a pear would review an article is beyond me.
Anyway... I finally had a chance to read the article. The main focus is on the provenance and chain of ownership of the pistol up until it's theft from the Junipero Serra Museum in 1961. More than 6 weeks after Smith's disappearance in 1831, the caravan he was leading arrived in Santa Fe. His 2 younger brothers, Austin and Peter, who were traveling with the caravan, discovered 2 pistols and other items they recognized as belonging to their brother. They were apparently traded to Mexican merchants and taken to Santa Fe. Over time they continued to be in the possession of the descendants of either of these 2 brothers. The article states that ONE of the pistols was on display at the museum and stolen. It doesn't say what happened to the other one, but it seems to have faded away fairly early in the provenance. It also states that Jedediah's "gun" was also recovered in Santa Fe, but there is no record of what became of it. A pair of saddle holsters were also recovered. They were on display, but it doesn't mention if they were stolen.
A separate "Appendix" to the article is written by Scott Walker. He describes the stolen pistol...
"The Smith pistol has the general architecture reminiscent of English duelling pistols from the first quarter of the 19th century. These characteristics include the shape of the handle or grip, the rounded trigger guard, the fore endcap, apparently made of horn, and its half-stock combined with a metal barrel rib."
"it was 15.5 inches in overall length, with a barrel length measuring 9.5 inches. They (museum staff) also estimated the size of the bore to be .50 caliber"
He states that "details apparent in the photographs include:"
"metal mounts, possibly silver, at the top of the grip, and the escutcheons for the barrel key on the sides of the fore stock"
"plain, uncarved, uncheckered grip"
"plain, open-grain wood"
"engraved lock plate that shows no sign of having been converted from flintlock"
"possible set trigger, indicated by the screw in front of the trigger"
note... this would be a single set trigger
"two transverse bolts to attach the lock to the pistol with no side plate"
"the manner in which the percussion nipple is mounted at the breech of the barrel is unusual, and might be a bolster"
note... one of the photos in the article clearly shows it to be a patent style hooked breech plug and standing tang. The nipple protrudes from the top near the oblique flat and not from the side flat. The lock plate is not cut to fit a conventional bolster.
He also mentions...
"Some similarities between the Smith pistol and the work of gunsmith Philip Creamer have been noted by knowledgeable gun collectors."
Personally... I think this is wishful thinking. Just because Creamer is known to have made English style half stock pistols doesn't mean he made this pistol. They were a very popular style. Many American gunsmiths made them, and many were purchased from makers in England and sold here. I haven't seen anything in the photos that cry out "Creamer". The wood appears to be walnut, but the photos are black & white which makes it hard for me to tell if it's American or European walnut. What engraving is visible doesn't look like the same quality as Creamer's work. If I were to guess... the pistol shown looks like a less expensive English import. Other opinions may vary.
Before anyone says it... no... I won't post photos from the article. That would be inappropriate. You'll need to purchase the journal if you want the photos. Sorry.
