1836 PISTOL CS CONVERSION TO PERCUSSION

1836 Pistol made by Johnson

CS braised bolster conversion

The 1836 pistol was produced by contractors Johnson and A Waters.  Johnson made 18000 m1836 pistols from 1836 to 1844.  Originally produced in Flintlock, many were converted to percussion during the war.  They were distributed to various states under the militia act of 1808.  With the start of the Civil War in 1861 many of these older flintlock weapons were altered to percussion and issued.  Conversions were preformed by various gunsmiths.  

This example is marked Johnson on the lockplate and dated 1836.  This was converted to percussion using a bolster that was braised onto the barrel.  The bolster was attached to the barrel with a screw and then braised.  The circle of the screw is visible on the face of the bolster.  This type of alterations was done in the south.  The pistols altered in the north typically have the cone in barrel alteration.  The hammer is a heavy style with no checkers on the hammer spur.  The pistol is all original and most markings are clear and readable.  There are traces of the brass used to braise the bolster to the barrel.  The barrel has an NWP inspectors mark on the barrel.  The metal has a grey patina with area of light and medium pitting.  The action works well.  There are carved initial in the stock.  There is a hint of the inspectors marks in the stock.  The stock shows wear and has nicks from service.