1842 Navy Pistol

The Model 1842 Naval Pistol in many ways was both the first and last of its kind. It was among the first percussion firearms adopted by the U.S. Military, but among the final single shot pistols.

The Model 1842 was a .56 caliber rifled pistol with a 6 inch barrel. The designer, Nathan P. Ames based his pistol heavily on a British pistol from the same year, copying it almost exactly.

The pistol has a few distinct features, namely its captured ramrod, brass furniture, and brown lacquer metal finish used to combat salt water corrosion. The Model 1842’s most unique feature is arguably its box lock.

The box lock was a variant of the standard percussion lock where the mechanism is contained inside the lock plate instead of being exposed. This made the pistol nearly snag free and potentially easier to carry for a sailor tucking it into his belt.

Somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000 pistols were ordered in two contracts from 1842 to 1845. The Model 1842 served during the Mexican War and into the Civil War on both sides.

Considered largely obsolete by the time of the Civil War due to the widespread introduction of the revolver, the 1842 was phased out as more and more revolvers became available. Despite this, the single shots undoubtedly served, especially given the near desperate need to arm the masses of volunteers streaming in during the early days of the war.

This particular Model 1842 Naval is dated 1844. It still retains some of its original brown lacquer finish, while also sporting a bit of salt water wear. The wood is in good shape with minimal dings and dents and no cracks. The action works well and the brass is still distinctive. Overall this is a fine example of the 1842.