Value of an 1807 Harper's Ferry Black Powder Pistol?

[[email protected]]

This is a beautiful 1807 Harper's Ferry flintlock black powder pistol.I'm sorry if the pics aren't that great but i'm new to computers! This pistol is in mint condition. I've done my research and i know that there were only 4,096 of this particular pistol made! And that these pistols were made in pairs. Also it's supposedly the 1st flintlock pistol used by American military/arms. There are believed to be only 200-300 left in existance. If all this is true, I feel very lucky to have such a rarity! A real piece of American history! But I do not know it's value and i find that unfortunate. So, if anyone can help me determine it's value I'd be grateful. So far the internet has said anywhere from $3,000.00-$50,000.00. I'd like to narrow that # down and find only the truth.

 

[vagunmonkey]

Is the barrel rifled or smooth bore? Are there any marks on the barrel? Do you know the history of this pistol or have any documentation for it?

 

[Steel Horse Rider]

What markings are on the components? I think it may be a reproduction rather than an original from the appearance. If you could get a clearer picture of the entire lock and a picture from above it would be helpful.

 

[BowerR64]

Almost every camera you can get today including cell phones have a macro setting. Usually its indicated with a flower icon. If you select the macro or flower setting your camera will focus on close up shots. Anything closer then 2 feet is when you use macro.

Your first image would of been in focus if you had used macro.

Some day we will have true auto focus cameras including macro shots but for now we still have to tell the camera what to do.

 

[Jim K]

That is not a Model 1807, it is a Model 1805. IHMO, though, it is neither, but a repro of the Model 1805. Even in the blurry first photo, the lockplate is wrong and the coloring is wrong and modern.

I hope no big money is involved; if I am correct (and I think I am) the gun is a faked up reproduction, such as that being sold by Dixie; a good used one is worth $150 or so.

Jim

 

[mec]

Looks like this pedersoli replica both are labled pedersoli but it looks like the top one has been defarbed. Seems like the original pistols were .54 smooth bore thess are .58 and rifled.

 

[Jim K]

I don't have a Model 1805; I have some excellent pictures but can't post them because of copyright rules. I will say that there are a number of differences between the originals and the repros; those were put in deliberately by the repro makers to prevent (or at least reduce) their guns being passed off as original. The originals were .54 caliber, smoothbore. The repros I have seen were, as mec says, .58 and rifled.

On rereading the OP, I note that he didn't say it was a Model 1807, only that it was a Harpers Ferry dated 1807; I apologize for the error, but will note that many, if not all, of those Model 1805 repros are dated 1807.

Jim