AN EARLY 18TH CENTURY SCOTTISH SILVER INLAID STEEL FLINTLOCK BELT PISTOL
JOHN CAMPBELL OF GLENELG CIRCA 1720
Auction: Day 2: Thursday 21 August - Lots 297 - end
Description
the three stage barrel with foliate engraved detail and reeded canon end to muzzle, set within an all steel stock with silver inlay, with geometric borders, hearts and simple circular bosses, the ramshorn butt set with silver pricker matching ball trigger, with pierced and engraved belt hook, the lock signed IOHN CAMPBELL GLENELG
Dimensions
29.5cm (barrel), 43cm (overall)
Provenance
Warwick Castle Collection
Footnote
Literature: The Scottish Pistol, its History, Manufacture and Design, Martin Kelvin, page 165
Not to be confused with John Campbell I of Doune. This would appear to be the only recorded pistol to survive by John Campbell of Glenelg in the Lochalsh area of the Western Highlands. Although all steel pistols are regularly and generically called ‘Highland pistols’ this is one of as few as three to be inscribed with a Highland location of manufacture.
Note: Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament