A FINE LATE 17TH CENTURY SCOTTISH ALL METAL SNAPHAUNCE LOCK HEART BUTT BELT PISTOL ‡
THE FOLIATE ENGRAVED LOCK SIGNED GS
Auction: Day 2: Thursday 21 August - Lots 297 - end
Description
the hammer of crescent-shaped form and plain sliding pan cover, the flat cock with domed top jaw screw, the round fence with engraved date 1678, the grip terminating in a bold plain heart butt, the barrel of cannon-like form with plain raised bands at the breech and midway and double turned bands at the flared muzzle, with ball trigger and pierced pricker, plain ramrod pipe and steel ramrod with shaped end, the belt hook shortened with shaped and engraved terminal
Dimensions
33.5cm long (barrel), 46cm (overall length)
Provenance
The John Kirk Collection
Footnote
It has not been possible to trace the initials GS to an attributed maker. The name of George Smith of Aberdeen has been tied to this pistol previously, although his earliest reference is 1699 meaning he cannot have made this pistol. A more likely candidate is Guilemus Smith of Inverness, armourer to the Seafield Estate. This is tentative as there are numerous makers working in Scotland at the time whose initials would fit.
Note: Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament