A MID-18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH FLINTLOCK ALL METAL LOBE BUTT BELT PISTOL ‡
BY JOHN CHRISTIE OF DOUNE AND STIRLING, SIGNED TO LOCK 'JO. CHRISTIE STIRLING'
Auction: Day 2: Thursday 21 August - Lots 297 - end
Description
the multi-stage barrel with reeded breech and divided sections with a flared octagonal muzzle, the cock of rounded section form, the stock decorated at the butt with inlaid silver strapwork, the belt hook with pierced and engraved decoration, narrow turned ramrod pipe and steel ramrod, with engraved silver ball trigger
Dimensions
15.2cm long (barrel), 24.5cm long (overall)
Provenance
The John Kirk Collection
Footnote
John Christie’s early career and training appears to be unrecorded. He is noted in 1751 in the records of Stirling; ‘Christie, John, gunsmith in Down petitioning to become a Burgess of the Stirling’. This shows he must have been trained and working in Doune prior to this date. He is duly admitted as burgess and hammerman and pays his £12 dues.
By 1760 he applies to further become a merchant in Stirling, perhaps suggesting his business practices had changed and the downturn in Scottish pistol making had affected his business.
Note: Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament