Lot 103

American W. Matheson Signed Flintlock Pistol

Previous image preload Next image preload

American W. Matheson Signed Flintlock Pistol

Estimate: $6,500 - $9,500

Starting Bid: $5,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

American W. Matheson Signed Flintlock Pistol American flintlock pistols, often known as Kentucky pistols, are rare, especially those from the colonial era when many firearms were imported from the United Kingdom. Most of the American pistols, especially early examples, are unsigned making their history difficult to trace. This pistol is signed "W MATHESON" on the barrel, and comparisons have been drawn between this pistol and the Matthew Sadd pistol shown in Merrill Lindsay's "The New England Gun" that is estimated to date to the mid-1700s. American pistols of this vintage are very rare making wider comparisons very difficult. The elegant style of this pistol, including the lock and furniture, is stylistically appropriate for the first half of the 1700s suggesting this pistol was from an early American maker, perhaps Winchester Mathewson (1721-1778) who moved to the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania where his son Nero died in the Wyoming Massacre on July 3, 1778, during the American Revolution. In the battle Iroquois warriors aligned with the British along with Major Butler and his rangers killed nearly all of the American militiamen defending the small frontier community. Many were killed and scalped by the Iroquois after being captured. Another of Mathewson's sons, Constant, was killed at the Battle of Mud Fort, and his third son, Elisha, survived the war and was discharged after seven years of service in 1783. The well-known Rhode Island gunmaker Welcome Mathewson (b. 1778) active in the early 19th century in Burrillville, Rhode Island, was Winchester Mathewson's great nephew. The smoothbore, octagon to round barrel is signed "W MATHESON" and has simple incised bands at the transition point and no sights. It is built with an early bridle-less lock with stepped tail and "banana" profile. The furniture is mostly brass aside from the lightly engraved silver escutcheon attached by delicate nails and showing the faint dotted marking "IC", most likely the initials of the original owner. The ramrod entry pipe has some nice engraving on the finial, and the trigger guard has a shell finial. The ramrod is absent. The stock appears to be cherry and has a gracefully sculpted hexagonal wrist, fine molding, and raised relief floral carving by the upper tang.

Manufacturer: American

Model: Flintlock

BBL: 13 1/4 inch part octagon

Stock: hardwood

Gauge: 65

Finish: bright

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Good with light gray patina and minor pitting on the lock and barrel, aged patina on the brass furniture and silver escutcheon, distinct designs, and moderate wear. The stock has a repaired crack visible in the wrist, an old protective coat of oil finish overall, distinct carving and molding, and general mild wear. Mechanically functions.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Rock Island Auction will contact you shortly after the auction has completed. We will arrange for shipping and or pickup.

Rock Island Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000