Identical Pair of H. Aston U.S. Model 1842 Horse Pistols – Dated 1847

Description

Identical Pair of H. Aston U.S. Model 1842 Horse Pistols – Dated 1847

 

Fine matching pair of U.S. Model 1842 horse pistols manufactured by Henry Aston of Middletown, Connecticut, both clearly dated 1847. The pistols remain in very good condition with bright metal surfaces, and both stocks retain strong and clearly visible W.A.T. inspection cartouches (William A. Thornton), indicating U.S. government acceptance.

 

These large single-shot percussion pistols were produced under U.S. military contract between 1845 and 1852, with Henry Aston and IraN. Johnson serving as the principal contractors. The Model 1842 represented the standard U.S. cavalry pistol prior to the widespread adoption of revolvers in the 1850s and during the Civil War.

 

Designed for mounted service, the pistol features a smoothbore .54 caliber barrel, robust iron furniture, and a one-piece walnut stock. Cavalrymen typically carried these pistols in pairs within saddle holsters, making surviving matched sets particularly desirable today.
The pistols descend directly from the soldier’s family in Illinois and were later sold to a collector formerly associated with the National Civil War Soldiers Life Museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia, adding an additional layer of collector provenance.

 

An interesting discovery was made during examination of the pair: an original Civil War token was found lodged inside the barrel of one of the pistols, a fascinating relic likely placed there during or shortly after the war and a reminder of the personal artifacts often associated with soldiers and their equipment.

 

The Model 1842 horse pistol saw service with mounted troops in the Mexican-American War and early Civil War period, though by the later years of the conflict percussion revolvers had largely replaced single-shot pistols in cavalry use. Nevertheless, these powerful pistols remained in circulation throughout the war in secondary roles and with militia units.

 

A desirable and visually impressive, matched pair of U.S. Model 1842 Aston horse pistols dated 1847, retaining strong inspection cartouches and accompanied by interesting Civil War-related provenance.

 

Inventory Number: HAN 383