War of 1812 Flintlock pistol

[gldnbrew]

The pistol is a W. KETLAND c 1810, Tower of London proof marks. Pistol was recovered from a war of 1812 battle site and took several trips and several months to find all the parts. I believe I may be only missing one part, the upper ramrod pipe, if it had one. I still look every time I go there. My first find was is the butt cap with screw, and trigger guard. It took several trips to find the other items other than the barrel. The barrel and pins were found six months later in late December, the last hunt of the year, 300 yards away. I’m assuming either the barrel or the other parts were moved by logging. No wood remains. The lock is in the half cocked position with French Amber flint, ready for firing, note the photo with the ball and patch still in the barrel. This pistol is not a military issue, and would most likely been used by an American militia officer. Pistol was authenticated by Sean Rich, Antique Arms Consultant and Dealer. Tortuga Trading Company. Note: the only cleaning that was done was with a toothbrush and air. Items were unusually clean coming out of the ground.

 

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[SpacemanSpiff]

The pistol is a W. KETLAND c 1810, Tower of London proof marks. Pistol was recovered from a war of 1812 battle site and took several trips and several months to find all the parts. I believe I may be only missing one part, the upper ramrod pipe, if it had one. I still look every time I go there. My first find was is the butt cap with screw, and trigger guard. It took several trips to find the other items other than the barrel. The barrel and pins were found six months later in late December, the last hunt of the year, 300 yards away. I’m assuming either the barrel or the other parts were moved by logging. No wood remains. The lock is in the half cocked position with French Amber flint, ready for firing, note the photo with the ball and patch still in the barrel. This pistol is not a military issue, and would most likely been used by an American militia officer. Pistol was authenticated by Sean Rich, Antique Arms Consultant and Dealer. Tortuga Trading Company. Note: the only cleaning that was done was with a toothbrush and air. Items were unusually clean coming out of the ground.

Man that is awesome!!! I’m officially jealous! Could you give a closeup of the ramrod pipe? I think I found something similar, shown below.

 

[gldnbrew]

Man that is awesome!!! I’m officially jealous! Could you give a closeup of the ramrod pipe? I think I found something similar, shown below.

View attachment 2011658

That is the lower ramrod pipe for a pistol looks just like mine.

 

[SpacemanSpiff]

That is the lower ramrod pipe for a pistol looks just like mine.

Thank you!!! Found mine at an old colonial homesite a little while ago. Always wondered what it was - thanks for clearing that up!!

 

[dieselfool]

Man, that baby is in excellent shape for being in the ground! Iron just seems to dissolve in the soil around here (Iowa).

 

[Red_desert]

Interesting finds!

 

[crashbandicoot]

To quote John Mellencamp "cool as cool can be"!

 

[gldnbrew]

Man, that baby is in excellent shape for being in the ground! Iron just seems to dissolve in the soil around here (Iowa).

The lock, trigger and pins were the only iron items. All the other items are brass. Generally the soil around the battlefield here is not too bad or harsh on iron items.

 

[ARC]

I am gonna call this a "banner find".

Super well done and commend you for returning to try and find all of it... perhaps that last piece is the next beep in the ole headphones.

Keep in mind... some replacement and issued rods were wood shafts... if i remember correctly ?

 

[gldnbrew]

I am gonna call this a "banner find".

Super well done and commend you for returning to try and find all of it... perhaps that last piece is the next beep in the ole headphones.

Keep in mind... some replacement and issued rods were wood shafts... if i remember correctly ?

Thank you, my research on this particular model indicates that the ramrod was a wooden shaft, it may or may not of had a brass end on it. All the photos I have seen indicate that there was an upper ramrod pipe, if there was one I haven’t found it yet. When the snow is gone and the ground thaws I’ll be back looking for any missing parts and of course other items. See if my new AT Max can out do my AT pro.

 

[Gare]

GREAT find I also vote banner