Historical Background
Pistols were considered requisite items for the Highland soldier as early as the 1730s. By the 1740s the elegant pistol styles of Christie & Murdoch (armourers of Doune, Stirlingshire) had became the most sought after amongst Highland officers. The unique elements of the Doune pistols were the scroll or rams horn butt, fluted barrels at the breech and the octagonal flared muzzles. Soon pistol makers all across Scotland (and in England) began to copy the styles of Doune.
The replica offered here represents one of the many copies made at that time. One surviving original, same style as the replica, is marked "RHR" on the barrel, standing for the Royal Highland Regiment (becoming the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment "Black Watch"). Many of the pistols carried by the men of the 42nd during the French and Indian War were actually made in Birmingham by Isaac Bissell. The steel pistol was used in the ranks of Highland Regiments into the 1780s, when a less expensive (and less elegant) bronze pistol began to challenge the dominance of the steel version in the ranks of Britain's Highland Regiments. By the mid-1790s Highland Regiments had abondoned their pistols.
Highland sergeants and men wore one steel pistol under the left arm, hung through the pistol's belt hook on a thin buff leather belt.
Highland Officer, 1762 showing the butt of the pistol and the small leather belt it is hooked on
Specifications
The pistol sold here is all steel replica of the pistol used by Highland Regiments during the 18th century. As the pictures attest, this .52 calibre reproduction is faithful to those of the period. The item is made of tempered seamless modern steel (type:BS970 no.080M40) with a threaded breech plug. The lock is made with strong durable springs and has a case-hardened frizzen (hammer) that throws good sparks. We use a cyanide case-hardening factory process that makes sparking both more reliable and longer lasting. Presently no other musket provider uses this technique.
As with all our other flintlocks, the vent is not drilled so we can ship easily to your door throughout North America and to Europe and the UK. Aside from that they are exactly like the originals. A fine addition to any collection.
