At the risk of starting bad rumors...

[sssnot]

Has anyone ever heard any discussion about exactly what kind of pistols Lewis and Clark took with them on their journey? Everything I've ever read about them stated they were PROBABLY one of two different pistols that were made at the time (sorry, I don't have this data right now). *No one knows exactly what kind of flintlock pistols they were...

But here's the thing...They placed their order for weapon/ammo supplies with the Harpers Ferry armory. At the time they placed their order, Heapers Ferry didn't make a pistol. The year after Lews and Clark returned, Harpers Ferry came out with their pistol.

Descriptions from Lewis and Clark as to the feel/ease of use of the pistols are strikingly similar to those of the Harpers Ferry pistol.

What if Harpers Ferry created custom pistols for Lewis and Clark, rather than purchasing them from other sources...is this possible? Could their pistols actually be the precursers to "the first pistol ever made by a U.S. Armory"??

Alibi: The calibers were different, but how likely is it that this could still be the case?

:shocked2:

 

[SAJones]

L&C pistols have been a topic of discussion that I have never seen satisfactorily resolved. I seriously doubt that any pistols were "custom made" for them, as pistols were a secondary arm, even for cavalry. And as an armoury, Harper's Ferry stored weapons. I am one of those collectors who do not believe L&C were issued the 1803 Harper's Ferry. The first one turned out by the aresenal was the same time L&C actually started upriver, spring of 1804. They probably had earlier contract rifles, like the 1795, refurbished w/ extra locks made or refurbished. The aresnal complained about building Lewis' iron boat, so don't think they spent too much time on outfitting the expedition, & only Jefferson's intervention got them the help anyway. What we wouldn't give for an accurate inventory & description for the goods carried upriver by the Corps of Discovery.

 

[Shuneeka]

Now hold on you boys: I have seen that there list that ya all are asking about. It is one of my books that I did reseach with on the Lewis and Clark expedition. It came with a detailed list of everything they took with them.

It listed guns, lead for balls, pistols food and even where they made the purcheses. How much they paid and to whom. It is a college book from Penn State and I have it. I looked and they only took 4 pistols with them. But they weren't Harper Ferry They were privately made by friends as gifts.

This book has detailed list of everything that they ordered right down to how many fish hooks they bought. Looks like they were buying just for an army. For on one page they give the wieght for each boat and how much they would have to leave behind.

 

[SAJones]

Now that sounds like a book I could use. Any more particulars, like author & title? I have some exerpts of lists, perhaps even taken fron the source this Penn State publication drew from, but nothing near complete.

I expected some flack from my assertion that L&C didn't carry the 1803 Harper's Ferry, so pulled out my June 99 copy of Man at Arms which has an article on the 1792 contract rifles. This article, plus other books, like The Southern Arsenal, which put me in the non-1803 crowd. By the way, this Model 1803 is a 20th century collector's designation, as is the "1792 Contract rifle" designation. They sort of came up with this type of designation to reduce confusion among collectors about what weapon they were discussing, usually using the year the contract or order was made, but even this is not consistent.