North Model 1808 Navy Pistol
Simeon North · Pistol · Discontinued · 1808
Also known as: U.S. Model 1808 Navy Pistol, Simeon North Navy Pistol, Model 1808 Flintlock Navy Pistol
Overview
The North Model 1808 Navy Pistol is a .64 caliber smoothbore flintlock pistol built by Simeon North at his Berlin, Connecticut factory. Contracted in 1808 following a Militia Act appropriation, it was the first pistol contracted by the fledgling United States Navy and saw service through the War of 1812. It features a full walnut stock, brass mountings including a brass flashpan, an iron backstrap running from tang to butt cap, and an iron belt hook mounted on the sideplate for naval carry.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1300 g (45.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Barrel Length | 267 mm (10.51") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 275 m/s (902 fps) |
| Effective Range | 20 m (22 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 70 m (77 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Iron |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Brass Mounted |
Calibers
- .64 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as 0.64 in, 16.3 mm ball, .64 smoothbore
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Safety mechanisms: Half Cock Notch
- Features: Belt Hook, Brass Flashpan, Iron Backstrap, Hickory Ramrod, Pin Fastened Stock
Service history
Operators
- United States Navy · adopted 1808 · as Model 1808 Navy Pistol
Conflicts
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Production
Estimated total produced: 3,000 · Production years: 1808-1811
1,000 pairs contracted June 1808 at $11.75 per pair; 500 additional pairs contracted December 1810 at $12 per pair.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Simeon North
Discontinued: 1811
Notes
Marked 'Eagle over U.STATES' beneath the flashpan and 'S. NORTH / BERLIN / CON.' at the rear of the lock. Delivered in matched pairs under two contracts (1,000 pairs in 1808 and an additional 500 pairs in 1810), for roughly 3,000 pistols total.
Background
As the first pistol ever contracted by the U.S. Navy, the Model 1808 marks the beginning of standardized American naval sidearms, produced by Simeon North, one of the earliest U.S. contract arms makers and a pioneer of interchangeable-parts manufacturing.