Ames built this U.S. Model 1842 percussion pistol, and the lock on this example carries an 1845 date. The supplier grades it in good overall condition. The wood has cracks near the lock that have been repaired, and that repair is stated plainly rather than hidden. The action works perfectly. No barrel length, bore grade or caliber is listed in the supplier record, so a buyer who needs those measurements should ask before ordering.

Buying this pistol through a dealer in Delaware follows the handgun route. The buyer needs the qualified purchaser permit from the State Bureau of Identification, or a current Delaware carry license, and must be 21 or older. The permit path runs through a certified firearms course with at least 100 rounds of live fire, fingerprints and a photograph through the state vendor, and an online application that the Bureau answers within 30 days; the permit then runs two years. For a Delaware collector of U.S. martial arms, a dated Ames 1842 is a straightforward addition.

Key features

• U.S. Model 1842 percussion pistol by Ames
• Lock dated 1845
• Repaired cracks in the wood near the lock
• Action works perfectly

Delivery goes to a licensed Delaware dealer of your choice, who completes Form 4473 and the background check before handing it over.