North & Cheney Model 1799
Simeon North · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1799
Also known as: North and Cheney 1799, U.S. Model 1799 Pistol, North & Cheney Contract Pistol
Overview
The North & Cheney Model 1799 is a .69 caliber flintlock smoothbore single-shot pistol and the first martial handgun produced under United States government contract. Built in Berlin, Connecticut by Simeon North in partnership with his brother-in-law, clockmaker Elisha Cheney, it was closely patterned on the French Modèle 1777 pistol but given a slightly longer barrel, a rounded breech and a distinctive brass frame with an integral belt hook in place of a wooden forestock. Only about 2,000 were made across two contracts, making surviving examples among the rarest and most historic of all American martial arms.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1250 g (44.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 350 mm (13.78") |
| Barrel Length | 216 mm (8.50") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 250 m/s (820 fps) |
| Effective Range | 22 m (24 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 91 m (100 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 2 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Frame Material | Brass |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Brass |
Calibers
- .69 Caliber Musket Ball · primary — also known as 0.69 in, 17.5 mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Smoothbore Barrel, Muzzle Loaded, Brass Frame, Belt Hook, Ramrod
Variants
- Model 1799 First Contract - Early Production
- Model 1799 Second Contract - Late Production
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1799 · as Model 1799
- United States Navy
Conflicts
- Quasi-War (1798-1800)
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Production
Estimated total produced: 2,000 · Production years: 1799-1802
500 under the first contract and 1,500 under the second; the first US contract martial pistol.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Simeon North
Discontinued: 1802
Notes
First contract of March 9, 1799 called for 500 pistols at $6.50 each; a second contract of February 6, 1800 added 1,500 at $6.00 each, all delivered by September 1802. Roughly 20 examples are known to survive. Barrel, length and weight figures are approximate, derived from the French Modèle 1777 pattern it was based on.
Background
The Model 1799 launched the long arms-making career of Simeon North, who went on to become one of the earliest American pioneers of interchangeable parts and a major government pistol and rifle contractor throughout the first half of the 19th century.