For Sale: U.S. Model 1842 Percussion Pistol, H. Aston, Mexican War Dated

The U.S. Model 1842 percussion pistol replaced the Model 1836 flintlock pistol becoming the first standard-issue single-shot percussion pistol of the U.S. Army. The pistol was also the first U.S. military pistol to use interchangeable parts. Manufactured from 1846-1855 by Henry Aston, Ira N. Johnson in Connecticut and the Palmetto Armory in South Carolina, the Model 1842 horse pistol saw action in the Mexican-American War with a more limited service in the revolver rich American Civil War. Features include an 8 ½-inch barrel in .54 caliber, swivel ramrod, brass furniture, blued trigger, and black walnut stock.  The lockplate, barrel, and hammer are all finished in the white

The example seen here was manufactured in 1847 by H. Aston in Middletown, Connecticut where, from 1846 to ca. 1851, production reached approximately 24,000 U.S. Model 1842 pistols. The lockplate is marked ‘US/H. ASTON’ forward of the hammer and vertically ‘MIDDtn/CONN./1847’ behind the hammer. The matching 1847 date is observed on the barrel tang. The triggerguard bears the letter ‘H’  near the front and the ‘US/JH/P’ inspector stamp is seen on the barrel breech. ‘JH’ (Joseph Hannis) is also present on the left side of the barrel breech. Two cartouches, a script ‘JH’ within an oval and script ‘WAT’ (William A. Thornton) within a round rectangle adorn the left side of the stock, opposite the lockplate.

Light service marks are present throughout the stock, the heaviest of which are below the ‘JH’ barrel stamp. The bright finished metal surfaces remain bright with some oxidation freckling scattered throughout. The brass furniture also bears light service marks, mostly on the butt cap, and remains in good overall condition. All screwheads are in excellent condition. The bore is semi-dark with frosting throughout and a small area of pitting towards the breech. Half-cock is secure with the action on this U.S. Model 1842 strong and working as intended.

A Mexican-American War veteran, this U.S. Model 1842 percussion pistol is ideal for a U.S. military percussion arms collection.

See pictures for overall condition. Antique. Check with a local FFL dealer to confirm your state laws governing ownership of an antique firearm before purchasing this item.