A SCOTTISH ALL-STEEL RAMSHORN BUTT FLINTLOCK PISTOL
JOHN CAMPBELL, DOUNE CIRCA 1710
Auction: Day 2: Thursday 21 August - Lots 297 - end
Description
the three-stage barrel with geometric border and foliate detail with moulded canon end to muzzle, set within an all steel stock with numerous circular bosses engraved with rose head decoration and profuse silver inlay, with bands, geometric borders and scroll motifs, the ramshorn butt set with silver pricker matching ball trigger, with ornate pierced and engraved belt hook, the lock signed JOHN CAMPBELL
Dimensions
28.5cm (barrel), 42cm (overall)
Footnote
John was apprenticed to Thomas Caddell of Doune, post 1646 but date unrecorded, and some confusion remains around whether it is Thomas Snr or Jnr. The Statistical Account lists his Master as Snr, however he would have been a great age by this point.
John Campbell worked in Doune until his death in 1720 when it is recorded ‘John Campbell of the family of Barbreck in the county of Argyll died 1720 and Margaret Taylor his spouse, Gravestone Kilmadock Churchyard (Doune)’. He was succeeded by his son Alexander who would continue the family tradition making fine pistols famous for their silver inlay.
Note: Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament