Manufactured in 1837, the Elgin cutlass pistol was manufactured by two companies: C.B. Allen and Morrill, Mosman and Blair. Each company produced a wide array of variations. This example was manufactured by Morrill, Mosman and Blair of Amherst, Massachusetts, which can be distinguished by their square back, pointed trigger guard and round barrel. These pistols were invented by George Elgin, inspired by the fame and lore of the popular legendary fighting knife of James Bowie in the 1830s. This particular pistol is the "larger size" with a 4 inch barrel featuring 8 groove rifling and a 9 inch blade. A more appropriate collector term could be "medium size" as the pistol is not as large as the U.S. Navy martial style produced by C.B. Allen, the only combination gun ever issued by the U.S. armed forces and the first percussion handgun issued by the U.S. military. The serial number is marked on the underside of the frame in two places (in front of the trigger and right side near the front of the trigger guard) and on the backside of the hammer. The blade is attached on the bottom of the barrel and creates the trigger guard were it attaches at the frame. It has a low blade brass front sight and a fixed notch rear sight on the frame. The top of the barrel is clearly marked "CAST STEEL" near the breech. Both sides of the blade have a clear elaborate panel etching depicting a cluster of stars, an American eagle grasping a "Liberty" banner and a large urn with bountiful floral spray. The left side of the blade is etched "Morrill, Mosman/& Blair./Amherst Mass." The right side of the blade is etched "Elgin Patent." The markings and etched panels are especially clear. Experts believe that the blades for these pistols were manufactured by the famed cutler N.P. Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts, which had been manufacturing swords for the U.S. government starting in 1832. The bag style one-piece grip is smooth walnut. The overall length of the pistol is 14 inches. This pistol was previously part of the famed William Locke collection. See Frank Seller's book "The William M. Locke Collection on pages 26 and 470.