North Model 1813 Pistol
Simeon North · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1813
Also known as: U.S. Model 1813 Army Pistol, Simeon North Model 1813, North M1813
Overview
The North Model 1813 is a .69 caliber single-shot smoothbore flintlock pistol manufactured by Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut, under U.S. government contract during the War of 1812. It features a nominally nine-inch round barrel with an octagonal breech, an inclined brass flash pan, iron furniture, and the double-strapped Wickham barrel band. It is historically significant as the first U.S. martial pistol produced under a contract that specified interchangeable parts.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1474 g (52.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 381 mm (15.00") |
| Barrel Length | 229 mm (9.02") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Muzzle Velocity | 250 m/s (820 fps) |
| Effective Range | 20 m (22 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | White Metal |
Calibers
- .69 Caliber Musket Ball · primary — also known as 0.69 in, 17.5 mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Smoothbore Barrel, Octagonal Breech, Brass Flash Pan, Wickham Barrel Band, Iron Furniture, Interchangeable Parts
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1813 · as Model 1813
- United States Navy · adopted 1813 · as Model 1813
Conflicts
- War of 1812 (1812-1815)
Production
Estimated total produced: 1,626 · Production years: 1813-1815
First U.S. contract pistol specifying interchangeable parts; delivered to the U.S. Army and Navy.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Simeon North
Discontinued: 1815
Notes
Sources vary on total output; roughly 1,626 pistols are commonly cited, with about 626 delivered to the U.S. Army and the balance associated with a follow-on U.S. Navy contract before the design evolved into the Model 1816.
Background
Simeon North was a pioneer of the American System of Manufactures. His 1813 contract with the U.S. government was among the first to explicitly require that component parts be made interchangeable, a milestone in mass production and armory practice.