Harpers Ferry Model 1805
Encyclopedia
The model 1805 U.S. Marshall "Harper's Ferry" flintlock pistol, manufactured at the Harpers Ferry Armory
in Virginia (now West Virginia
), was the first pistol manufactured by a national armory
.
Harper's Ferry models 1805, 1806, 1807 and 1808 flintlock pistols were all identical and there were no changes in design during this model year sequence. The pistol was a .54 caliber, single-shot, smoothbore
, flintlock pistol intended for field duty and was issued as an Officer's pistol. Harper's Ferry model 1805–1808 flintlock pistols were known then as “horsemen’s pistols” and were produced in pairs; both pistols having identical serial numbers. With just one shot readily available without reloading, a "brace" was the standard issue (a pair of two flintlock pistols were known as a "brace"). Horse accouterments also included a standard pair of saddle holsters. No serial number higher than 2048 has ever been discovered—and that is exactly half of the number recorded as produced at the Harper's Ferry Armory. There are between 200–300 of these pistols known to exist today.
All modern-looking, fully functional representations of the original pistols are made with a larger caliber than the original, as well as a twisted bore for more accurate shooting. These modern, fully functional representations of the original start at about $500, but the design and shape of the wood stock is not at all accurate, missing its well-known "bulbus butt". Some fully functional representations can even exceed $2000 in cost. Real Harper's Ferry Pistols are valued anywhere from $3,000.00 to $50,000.00.
The model 1805–1807 U.S. Marshall "Harper's Ferry" flintlock pistol is used today on the insignia of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.
Harpers Ferry Armory
Harpers Ferry Armory, more formally known as the United States Armory and Arsenal at Harpers Ferry, was the second federal armory commissioned by the United States government located in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia , the first federal armory being the Springfield Armory located in Springfield,...
in Virginia (now West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
), was the first pistol manufactured by a national armory
Armory (military)
An armory or armoury is a place where arms and ammunition are made, maintained and repaired, stored, issued to authorized users, or any combination of those...
.
Harper's Ferry models 1805, 1806, 1807 and 1808 flintlock pistols were all identical and there were no changes in design during this model year sequence. The pistol was a .54 caliber, single-shot, smoothbore
Smoothbore
A smoothbore weapon is one which has a barrel without rifling. Smoothbores range from handheld firearms to powerful tank guns and large artillery mortars.-History of firearms and rifling:...
, flintlock pistol intended for field duty and was issued as an Officer's pistol. Harper's Ferry model 1805–1808 flintlock pistols were known then as “horsemen’s pistols” and were produced in pairs; both pistols having identical serial numbers. With just one shot readily available without reloading, a "brace" was the standard issue (a pair of two flintlock pistols were known as a "brace"). Horse accouterments also included a standard pair of saddle holsters. No serial number higher than 2048 has ever been discovered—and that is exactly half of the number recorded as produced at the Harper's Ferry Armory. There are between 200–300 of these pistols known to exist today.
All modern-looking, fully functional representations of the original pistols are made with a larger caliber than the original, as well as a twisted bore for more accurate shooting. These modern, fully functional representations of the original start at about $500, but the design and shape of the wood stock is not at all accurate, missing its well-known "bulbus butt". Some fully functional representations can even exceed $2000 in cost. Real Harper's Ferry Pistols are valued anywhere from $3,000.00 to $50,000.00.
The model 1805–1807 U.S. Marshall "Harper's Ferry" flintlock pistol is used today on the insignia of the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.
External links
- image of a model 1805 U.S. Marshall "Harper's Ferry" flintlock pistol
- a modern representation of the Model 1805 Harpers Ferry Pistol made by Pedersoli—note the missing bulbus butt on the Pedersoli pistol
- a non-firing representation of the Model 1805 Harpers Ferry Pistol—note the proper "bulbus butt", mold taken from an original pistol
