Commodore Thomas MacDonough's pistols, 1820
MacDonough received these gold-mounted flintlock pistols from the state of Connecticut in honor of his victory in the Battle of Lake Champlain during the War of 1812. A scene depicting the battle is engraved on the gold plate. The Smithsonian acquired MacDonough's trophies in 1927 from the commodore's grandson and placed them on exhibit with other relics of U.S. Navy commanders.
See also:
Firearms, Military History, War of 1812
