Lot 1187

Outstanding Robert Johnson U.S. Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol

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Outstanding Robert Johnson U.S. Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Starting Bid: $3,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Outstanding Robert Johnson U.S. Model 1836 Flintlock Pistol This is an absolutely outstanding example of a U.S. contract Model 1836 pistol that was manufactured in 1841 by Robert Johnson of Middletown, Connecticut. The Model 1836 was the last and arguably finest of the flintlock U.S. martial pistols. Many were converted to percussion making original flintlock examples like this particularly desirable, especially in such a high state of condition. It was the primary handgun issued to the U.S. Dragoons and Mounted Rifles during the Mexican-American War and continued to be used into the Civil War after being converted for percussion caps. This example shows little to no evidence of actual use. It has an original smooth bore, rounded blade front sight, a dished oval rear sight on the barrel tang, a swivel mounted ramrod, a brass flash pan, "US./JH/P" marked on the breech of the barrel, "US./R. JOHNSON/MIDDN CONN/1841" on the center of the lock, single letter inspection marks on various components, and crisp oval bordered script "JH" (Joseph Hannis) and "W.A.T" (William A. Thornton) cartouches deeply stamped on the left stock flat.

Manufacturer: R. JOHNSON

Model: 1836

BBL: 8 1/2 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: .54

Finish: bright/casehardened

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: Excellent, nearly as issued and far above the vast majority, with highly attractive original armory bright surfaces, 90% plus vibrant original case colors on the barrel tang, lock, hammer, frizzen, and trigger; 95% niter blue finish on the frizzen spring and small lock screws, proper untouched mustard yellow patina on the brass front sight and flash pan, a few very minor specks of surface pitting, and absolutely sharp lock and barrel markings. The stock is also excellent, with extremely well-defined edges, a few nicks and dents, and exceptionally crisp cartouches. Mechanically excellent. This is one of the finest surviving examples of a U.S. Model 1836 pistol one may ever hope to encounter!

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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