Make: N.P. Ames

Model: 1842 Percussion Navy Pistol

Serial#: NSNV

Year of Manufacture: Circa 1842

Caliber: .54 Cal smoothbore

Action Type: Single shot, muzzleloading, percussion pistol

Barrel Length: 6"

Sights/ Optics: None

Stock Configuration & Condition/ Grip: The stock is one piece smooth walnut, single brass band, brass trigger guard, with flat brass grip cap. There are scratches and compression dents throughout. There is a small crack on the left side by the lock screw. The inspector marks are no longer visible. Overall this stock is in Very Good condition as Antique.

Type of Finish: Browned, Case Colored, Brass.

Finish Originality: Original

Bore Condition: The bore is semi bright. There is some light erosion and pitting throughout. In this writer's opinion this bore rates 7/10.

Overall Condition: This pistol retains virtually none of its original finish. The browned barrel has been aggressively cleaned. There is pitting, scratching, and light corrosion staining throughout. The lock shows patina and light corrosion staining. The brass furniture shows tarnish and age darkening. The screw heads are lightly tooled but serviceable. The markings are legible. Overall this pistol is in Good condition as Antique.

Mechanics: The lock functions correctly. We did not fire this pistol. As with all used guns a full cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.

Box Paperwork and Accessories: None

Our Assessment: The N.P. Ames Model 1842 Navy Pistol occupies an important place in American martial-arms history as the first percussion pistol adopted by the United States government. Manufactured for the U.S. Navy by N.P. Ames of Springfield, Massachusetts, the pistol used a distinctive enclosed boxlock mechanism derived from the work of English gunmaker Henry Nock and combined a .54-caliber smoothbore barrel with walnut furniture, brass mountings, and a captive swiveling ramrod. The earliest Ames production is especially desirable: the first approximately 300 pistols, all dated 1842, used a distinctive flat lockplate with beveled forward edges and a pointed rear termination before Ames changed to the more familiar rounded-tail lockplate. The pointed, beveled lockplate on this pistol places it within that scarce early-production variation.

This early Ames Navy pistol has seen considerable use and cleaning but remains a strong antique example. Virtually none of the original browned or case-colored finish remains, with the aggressively cleaned barrel showing scattered pitting, scratches, and light corrosion staining, while the lock has aged to patina and the brass furniture displays appropriate tarnish and age darkening. The walnut stock remains notably sound, showing scattered scratches and compression dents along with a small crack near the lock screw, though the original inspector marks are no longer visible. The semi-bright .54-caliber smooth bore shows light erosion and pitting and rates 7/10. The lock functions correctly, and the original-style swiveling ramrod remains present. As one of the scarce pointed-lockplate early-production Ames pistols, this is an especially interesting U.S. Navy martial handgun from the opening years of American military percussion-arm adoption. Please see our photos for a better understanding of the condition and good luck with your bids!