North Model 1816 Pistol
Simeon North · Pistol · Discontinued · 1817
Also known as: U.S. Model 1816 Flintlock Pistol, Simeon North Model 1816, Model of 1816 Pistol
Overview
The North Model 1816 is a single-shot .54-caliber flintlock pistol manufactured by Simeon North of Middletown, Connecticut, for the United States military. Ordered by the Federal Government in 1816, it featured an all-iron-mounted stock with a distinctive large 'skull crusher' butt cap, a casehardened lockplate, a roughly nine-inch round smoothbore barrel with a brass blade front sight on the forward barrel band, and a hickory ramrod. It became one of the most numerous American martial pistols of the early republic and saw service through the Seminole Wars and the Mexican-American War, with many later converted to percussion ignition for use in the early Civil War.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1446 g (51.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 387 mm (15.24") |
| Barrel Length | 230 mm (9.06") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 1 rounds |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 55 m (60 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Smoothbore |
| Frame Material | Iron |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Casehardened |
Calibers
- .54 Caliber Ball · primary — also known as 54 cal round ball, 13.7mm ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Single Shot, Muzzle Loading, Iron Mounted, Skull Crusher Butt Cap, Brass Blade Front Sight, Hickory Ramrod
Service history
Operators
- United States Army · adopted 1816 · as Model 1816
- United States Navy · adopted 1816
Conflicts
- Seminole Wars (1816-1858)
- Mexican-American War (1846-1848)
- American Civil War (1861-1865)
Production
Estimated total produced: 19,374 · Production years: 1817-1820
Ordered 1816 (20,000 requested); 19,374 delivered to U.S. arsenals between 1817 and 1820.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Simeon North
Discontinued: 1820
Notes
Between 1817 and 1820 approximately 19,374 pistols were delivered to government arsenals against an order for 20,000. Large numbers were later arsenal-converted from flintlock to percussion ignition.
Background
Simeon North was a pioneer of interchangeable-parts manufacturing, and his Model 1816 contract helped advance the American System of production. Its heavy iron 'skull crusher' butt cap doubled as a close-quarters bludgeon once the single shot was spent.