N.E Pistols?

[rabjr]

Being a southern New Englander I've found myself wanting a rifle that would have been built here in R.I in 1807 and plans are going forth on that. I am interested in also having a pistol built for the same time frame to go along with the rifle. Every thing I've ever seen concerning N.E firearms have been Fowler or rifles.

My question is would they have looked similar to the Kentucky style pistols of the day or more of an English or French style? N.E style firearms were uniquely different from the Penn/Kentuckys so I'm guessing pistols made here were to?

 

[jaxenro]

What about Simeon North? Wasn't he active in that time period and from Connecticut? I think he must have made commercial pistols as well as military pistols

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Simeon North would be a fine choice. He made some splendid pistols, including military guns and presentation pieces. They wouldn't necessarily resemble Kentucky pistols--North seems to have had his own style. A North military pistol might make a nice back up to a New England rifle.

 

[rabjr]

Any pictures of this mans work I can look at?

 

[jaxenro]

Do a search on Simeon North and pistols, most of what pops up are the 1816 army pistol like this one:
[url] http://www.armchairgunshow.com/images/AA-hall97.jpg[/url]

but I know he made some really nice civilian models.

 

[rabjr]

Thanks jaxenro, I'm more interested in civilian pistols than military.

 

[JV Puleo]

Virtually all pistols used in NE were imported from Britain. Aside, that is from the military pistols made by Waters, Johnson, North, Aston etc. Even the so-called North "duellers" like those presented to Commodore Isaac Hull were almost certainly British made, albeit by one of the good London gunmakers. (Some, I believe were even marked by their British makers - though out of sight. There is no question that North ordered them with the intention of putting his name on them but there isn't a shread of proof that the North factory was capable of "London Best Quality" work.) Now...that isn't to say no pistols were ever made here. There is a extant pair of pistols by Medad Hills and there are a small number of others as well but there were never enough of them to establish a "regional style" other than to copy the current British fashion, though almost never as well made.

Joe Puleo

 

[rabjr]

Thanks Joe,

I have received some emails and now have what I was looking for. :thumbsup:

 

[wallgunner]

Look in the New England Gun, can't remember the author off the top of my head. I belive he has a picture of a New England made pistol from your time period. I think the overall design was close, but the furniture was not typical Kentuky style, more English than anything. Should be a cool project.

 

[rabjr]

The Smiths up here did a lot of wire inlay work, so my thoughts when thinking about a pistol was they must have done the same on pistols. But I had never seen an NE Pistol to confirm that. Thanks to one the members here I have what I need and will be drawing out plans for an NE Pistol. Cherry stocked and lots of wire. :grin: :thumbsup:

 

[Roy]

lots of wire. :grin: :thumbsup:

oh boy..... :surrender: :haha:

 

[rabjr]

:rotf: Yer gonna love this.... :blah:

 

[Roy]

:rotf: Yer gonna love this.... :blah:

once again.... :surrender:


:haha:

 

[RC]

an so it begins! roy can you inlay wire that looks like a pup? a pistol pup? :hmm:

 

[Roy]

:hmm: I can get little teethy marks in it....

 

[rabjr]

I can get little teethy marks in it....

:shocked2:

Anyways, I'd like to thank the forum member sending me pics via email, not sure who it is but I appreciate it very much!

 

[wallgunner]

My father has an original NE rifle, and yep, lots of wire around the breech and inlay on the cheek piece. I have an old .58 cal GM barrel sitting in front of me. The original had a 42" barrel, and about .58 cal, so I think I know what it's going to become. Nice to have the original in front of me to copy, but I've never inlayed wire before. It seems doable, but the intricate design behind the tang is too much for me to handle. I'll have to build the gun, and then let it sit until I can do it justice with the wire. good luck with the pistol. If I remember right, the pistol in the NE Gun book had a beautiful shell design like you see on a lot of guns, but all in wire, no relief carving.