Odd markings on US m1842 Aston pistol

[Steve Blancard]

I have this US Model 1842 Aston pistol, dated 1852. It has an SK inspector stamp, and what looks like a faint P just below it. I believe SK stands for S. Knows. They did make some for the navy as well

those are supposed to be marked with an anchor on the breech.

I cannot find an anchor, so I don't think it is a navy version. However. Just ahead of the SK stamp there appears to be the remains of some other markings (circled in white). There isn't enough left to read it. But then again, maybe it's just some random marks. What do you guys think?

 

[springfield art]

I have this US Model 1842 Aston pistol, dated 1852. It has an SK inspector stamp, and what looks like a faint P just below it. I believe SK stands for S. Knows. They did make some for the navy as well View attachment 77539View attachment 77540View attachment 77541View attachment 77542View attachment 77543 those are supposed to be marked with an anchor on the breech.

I cannot find an anchor, so I don't think it is a navy version. However. Just ahead of the SK stamp there appears to be the remains of some other markings (circled in white). There isn't enough left to read it. But then again, maybe it's just some random marks. What do you guys think?

Don't know why these were never repro'ed by one of the Italian companies. They're dead handsome, dead simple, few parts, and they'd sell a ton of them!

 

[Steve Blancard]

It may be a combination of things.
-They made a lot of them.
-shooter grade examples are very affordable. On par with the cost of a good repro.
-limited demand.

I shoot this one, it's great fun. I started this discussion about shooting it last year. Who shoots a horse pistol?