Alexander Hamilton’s Flintlock Pistols to Be Auctioned May 14
Two historic pistols will be auctioned on May 14, 2021. These two flintlocks belonged to Col. Alexander Hamilton, whose image is now on the U.S. $10 dollar bill. The Rock Island Auction Company says: “These pistols are universally recognized as being among the most historically significant weapons known to exist. Few firearms owned and used by founding fathers during the American Revolutionary War survive, and none that we know of (other than this pair) remain in private hands. Only two founders, Washington and Hamilton, served in the Continental Army with distinction.”
Projected bid range for the two pistols (plus epaulettes worn by Hamilton) is $1,000,000 to $3,500,000. SEE Hamilton Pistols Auction Page, RIA 5/14/21 Auction Lot #125.
Pistols May Command the Highest Price Ever for Auctioned Firearms
“These pistols… transcend arms specific collecting. They are an American institution in and of themselves” stated Rock Island Auction President Kevin Hogan. According to RIA, the War Pistols of Alexander Hamilton are the “most historically significant item ever offered by Rock Island Auction Company. Items from the era rarely survive, let alone those of Founding Fathers. Given these pistols’ rarity, significance, and provenance, they may very well set the world record price for a firearm offered at auction.”
A matched pair, the pistols have smoothbore, multi-stage barrels with light scroll engraving. The wrist escutcheons have the significant initials “A H” inscribed for Alexander Hamilton and border engraving. The early banana profile locks are convex and have floral scroll engraving and non-bridled pans. The furniture is all brass. The side plates have pierced centers and light floral engraving.
Along with the two flintlock pistols, the auction, set for next week, will include two epaulettes worn by Hamilton as a Continental soldier. The Guns America Digest noted: “The pistols were presented to Hamilton, when he was a Colonel, by his father-in-law General Philip Schuyler [after the historic Battle of Saratoga]. They were passed down through the family until they were sold in 1942. Included with the pistols are Hamilton’s epaulettes from his Colonel’s uniform, which he wore while serving with General George Washington during the American Revolution.”
Hamilton Pistols Will Be Featured on Gun Talk Radio, Sunday 5/2/21
These historic Hamilton pistols will be discussed this Sunday on Tom Gresham’s Gun Talk Radio. Host Tom Gresham will discuss these historic arms in an interview with Kevin Hogan, President of Rock Island Auction Company. On May 14, 2021 RIA will have Alexander Hamilton’s flintlock pistols and epaulettes on the auction block. Find out more at RockIslandAuction.com.
Today, July 4th, we are celebrating a special birthday — the launching of a new nation that would become the world’s greatest exemplar of freedom and democracy. It is easy to lose sight of the challenges that faced our fore-fathers, and the continuing burdens we all share, as Americans, to maintain freedom at home and stand as an example to other peoples engaged in the struggle for democracy. It is more important than ever that we remember the ideals on which the nation was founded, and remember that our nation became great through the efforts and talents of a free citizenry.
