A Small Scottish Lobe Butt Flintlock Pistol by Thomas Murdoch of Doune. 9 ½” overall, 5” three stage barrel, swamped at the muzzle. Lobed butt with inset silver panels, engraved with a rose. Pistol overall engraved with stylised acanthus. Lock with horizontal sear, swan neck engraved cock signed ‘T. Murdoch’, ball trigger, abbreviated belt hook and baluster tipped iron rammer.
Circa 1770.
In good condition, well engraved, one silver panel behind trigger with small loses.
Travelling pistol sized Scottish pistols are quite rare.
Thomas Murdoch started his gun making career in Doune in about 1750, In 1774 he is recorded as “Gunsmith in Leith”, active in 1774, 1780, 1782 and finally in 1790, died in poverty 1791 and succeed by his son William first recorded in 1793 at Leith Walk.
See Charles E Whitelaw, ‘Scottish Arms Makers’, page 43 and Martin Kelvin ‘The Scottish Pistol’ page 120