A Scottish All Metal Military Flintlock Pistol by John Waters. 12” overall, 7” round barrel with London proofs & ‘IW’ (John Waters) mark. Flat lock of Highland type, with horizontal sear, bridle-less pan, swan neck cock, trefoil end frizzen spring. Gun metal full stock of regulation Highland form, with a plain kidney shaped butt with plugged hole, (these pistols were originally to have prickers like the Christie military pistols, however the design changed before they were finished) Screw-fastened iron belt hook & exposed ball type trigger, thin steel ramrod.
Circa 1780
In good condition.
Pistols for Scottish regiments were not supplied by the Board of Ordnance but bought by the Regiment’s agent direct from the trade. These cost £1.15.7 a pair in 1762.
See ‘Scottish Firearms’ by Blair & Woosnan-Savage page 35 and Plate 54, and ‘Small Arms of British Forces in America 1664-1815’ D.W Bailey pages 172-74 and plate 9-6.