AN EARLY 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH FLINTLOCK ALL METAL SCROLL BUTT BELT PISTOL, ‡
BY ALEXANDER CAMPBELL OF DOUNE
Auction: Day 2: Thursday 21 August - Lots 297 - end
Description
signed to lock, ‘ALEX R CAMPBELL’, the all metal stock with engraved geometric and scrolling decoration the grips with silver oval cartouche above rams butt, the shaped cock with early pierced and engraved circular comb, with simple compressed ball trigger and matching pricker, the four stage brass barrel with reeded breech and engraved foliate sections to flared muzzle, with simple ram rod pipe and ramrod, belt hook with pierced and engraved decoration
Dimensions
24cm long (barrel), 36cm (overall length)
Provenance
The John Kirk Collection
Footnote
Alexander Campbell was the second generation of Campbells making pistols in Doune. He was the son of John Campbell I and father to John Campbell II who would be the third and final family member to follow in the trade.
His training is unrecorded but it is safe to presume he was apprentice to his father. Indeed the working style of his father’s later pistols shows close comparison to the engraved and inlaid designs Alexander would continue to use and improve upon. Both makers at their peak epitomise the quality of design and manufacture that Doune is famous for. A particularly fine pistol held in the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum is illustrated in The Scottish Pistol, its History, Manufacture and Design by Martin Kelvin, figure 24, page 97. This example bears very close resemblance to one by Alexander's father.
Alexander married Margaret Campbell of Barbreck. He died in 1790 and his grave, along with his father's and other family members, can still be seen in Kilmadock Churchyard, Doune.
Note: Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament