Springfield Armory manufactured 1,000 of these massive pistols in 1817-1818. They were all still in storage in 1850, but percussion converted examples like this indicate some saw use in the 19th century, perhaps sold as surplus or issued to militia units. The Model 1817 flintlock pistols, the Model 1855 percussion pistol-carbines, and Model 1911 semi-automatic pistols were the only handguns manufactured by Springfield Armory. Double strap iron "Wickham" barrel band with integral brass front sight blade. The pistol has a hickory ramrod with swelled tip. The lock plate is stamped "SPRING/FIELD/1815" in three vertical lines behind the hammer and has the federal eagle and shield motif over "US" in front of the hammer, with "M" inspection initial on the inside of the lock and "O" mating marks on various lock components. The top of the barrel is dated "1818," and the left side is stamped with a sunken oval "P" above an eagle head and "V" proofmarks. The left stock flat is stamped with faint "V/JN" (John Newbury) inspection initials. Provenance: The Cranford Dalby Collection