This is a cool gun with a beautiful untouched look. It is a great looking Civil War era conversion of a single shot military pistol. The gun started life as an Asa Waters manufactured single shot military pistol. These guns hold a special place in American firearms history. They are the model 1836 pistol which was the last flintlock pistol acquired by the Government. Starting with the next model, the model 1842, they only bought the percussion pistols. On the lockplate you can see the maker's mark as well as the original production date of 1842 and the Milbury, Massachusetts production location. The lockplate still has the dark untouched colors with a very pleasing look. When it was made it would have been a flintlock pistol. At the outbreak of the Civil War many small firms converted these flintlocks into percussion. This one is nicely converted as you can see. The actions of the lock mechanics work on each position. The barrel is full-length at 8-1/2 inches. AT the breech of the barrel it has the proof marks as well as the "NWP" inspector initials. These are the initials of the inspector Nahum W. Patch. The stock has a dark ancient look to the walnut wood. On the flat of the stock opposite of the lockplate it has the traces of the pair of cartouches, one of which would be the "WAT" cartouche. These are the initials of Joseph A. Thornton. Under the barrel it has the the authentic ramrod and sling swivel intact and fully functional. This is a beautiful original single shot military pistol from the Waters firm that looks like the veteran sat it down and left it untouched for 160 years. .