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 74th &75th Regiment’s agent direct from Mr Dury a London jeweller for10 shillings a pair.
John Waters Birmingham 1776-88, Inventor of the spring bayonet.
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.