FINE & HIGHEST GRADE CHARLESTON, SC HAPPOLDT PERCUSSION DUELING/TARGET PISTOL EXTANT
inv # 01-19486

Cal. 44 smoothbore
NSN

This is the finest & most deluxe Charleston South Carolina made dueling pistol known. Happoldt was a gun making family in Antebellum South Carolina. Their guns are well known & other duelers are known, but all other examples are plain. This unique finely engraved example was once in collection & pictured in William Orbello’s “The Code of Honor-Dueling in America” featuring his magnificent American dueler collection.

Classic dueler measuring 14” overall w/ 9” .44 cal. smoothbore bbl. Impeccably engraved w/ floral & arabesque designs w/ full coverage on lock, hammer, breech, both keyway escutcheons & front half of the trigger guard & bow, top of hammer is a stylized sea creature. Top flat of oct. bbl. “Made for E.R. Morris By J.H. Happoldt, Charleston SC”. Vacant gold shield shaped escutcheon inset top of checkered figured walnut grip & small silver blade front sight are other rare features not seen on any other Happoldt pistol.

Edward R. Morris has a colorful history though a bit obscure. Morris was born in 1842, listed as assistant engineer & sergeant in the Confederate army & prisoner of war in 1865. After the war he is listed as wealthy planter w/ $30,000 in assets (a large sum in Charleston postwar). A notice in 1872 Charleston paper announces auction of his personal affects including guns to settle debts.

Status: Antique