What would this be worth?

[Colonial Boy]

A State militia 1842 US pistol by Ira N Johnson dated 1855.
In this condition, needs a good clean up but no cracks in the wood and in good mechanical condition.

I

 

[sportster73hp]

With a captured ramrod is this considered a Calvary model?
Sorry no idea on value. Others will ask for more pictures and bore condition .

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Moving this to Antique Firearms...

A State militia 1842 US pistol by Ira N Johnson dated 1855.
In this condition, needs a good clean up but no cracks in the wood and in good mechanical condition.
View attachment 210788I

My quick answer would be, "Likely more than I could afford", with it in that condition...

LD

 

[Colonial Boy]

Some more photos.

I don’t have it but I’m sorely tempted

 

[painter]

Some more photos.
View attachment 210793View attachment 210794View attachment 210795View attachment 210796
I don’t have it but I’m sorely tempted

I'm gonna say it's worth what you're about to pay for it.

 

[Loyer]

I have a near identical one that I paid $500 Cdn ($369 USA) for. I do think I got a bargain

 

[twines]

I sold the one above for about $1000 a couple of years ago. The market is very soft right now. I have a near mint one in the safe I had on my table last weekend for $1700 and no takers. I would retail on yours at about $750 to $850

 

[Conquerordie]

Most of them on dealer sites are going for $800-900 that I can find.

 

[Colonial Boy]

Thanks for the responses, the vendor is asking US$1,300 but will possibly come down a bit.
Sounds a bit expensive but given its rarity in Australia and condition, maybe not unreasonable (convincing myself?).

 

[rickystl]

And it's likely in shooting condition. These horse pistols were built like tanks.

Rick

 

[user 48679]

(convincing myself?).

Go, Go, Go ! !

Money's only colored paper, and more can always be obtained, unlike that handsome pistol.

 

[frankie]

Thanks for the responses, the vendor is asking US$1,300 but will possibly come down a bit.
Sounds a bit expensive but given its rarity in Australia and condition, maybe not unreasonable (convincing myself?).

It is nice, I'm sorry what caliber is it. If he would come down a bit I would snatch it

 

[Colonial Boy]

It’s 54 calibre, BUT look at the photo of the off side in front of the upper lock screw, there appears to be major cracking and given that the pistol is so robust and shows no evidence of any big dings, then it’s very possible that there is a bad flaw in the wood.
Reconsidering strongly.

 

[Stantheman86]

You're going to have cracks in wood from 1855 , it's just determining whether it's a structural crack or just the wood shrinking over the years

The price will have to reflect the crack though , I'm not paying $1300 for that .

They made a lot of these, I've seen them at gun shows for affordable prices although people aren't beating down doors for single shot smoothbore pistols from the 1840s-50s