A RARE EARLY 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH FLINTLOCK ALL METAL SCROLL BUTT BELT PISTOL Ω
BY PATRICK BUCHANAN OF GLASGOW
Auction: Day 2: Thursday 21 August - Lots 297 - end
Description
signed to lock, the iron stock decorated at the butt with inlaid silver roundel with a five-pointed star and surrounded with silver inlaid scrolls and strapwork, the underside with six silver bands, the flat-sided cock engraved with a series of roundels surrounding the cock retaining screw which is cut with cross slots, pierced and engraved belt hook, narrow turned ramrod pipe and steel ramrod with shaped terminal, pierced and engraved silver ball trigger with pricker
Dimensions
27.5cm long (barrel), 40cm long (overall length)
Provenance
The John Kirk Collection
Footnote
Patrick Buchanan is first recorded in Glasgow in 1717 being made a Guild Brother by purchase. In 1718 he is admitted into the Incorporation of Hammermen. His trade is not listed or specified but his essay for entry was “Ane side pistol with ane irne stock’ leaving little doubt he is one and the same as the maker of this pistol. He had passed away and his burial is recorded in 1729. He had two sons both admitted to the Incorporation of Hammermen but with trades not listed.
Only one other pistol by Buchanan is recorded in the collection of Glasgow City Museum (A.1978.29) who also record that only three Glasgow-made pistols are known to exist. It is unclear if this pistol takes that number to four. Either way, it is a very rare pistol made outwith the main centres of production.
Note: Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament