September 26, 2018 O'Connor's Americana Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/26/2018
This unit was raised in 1759 especially for service in North America and immediately joined their comrades of the 1st Battalion on the New York frontier. The 2nd Battalion was disbanded in 1763 at the cessation of hostilities. Other recorded and illustrated pistols, so marked to the 2nd appear in these publications: "Weapons of the Highland Regiments 1740-1780" by Anthony D. Darling (published by Museum Restoration Service, Canada, 1970, 1995, No. 33 monograph) page 4 - identical to this specimen and also made by John Christie (the barrel identically inscribed, however the text does not note the small "o" adjacent to the first "R", it is apparent under a magnifying glass); "Soldiers in America 1754-1865" by Don Troiani (published by Stackpole Books, Pennsylvania, 1998) page 4, a similar specimen by John Petcairn (barrel marking noted as "RHR 2nB"). This pistol is also shown in four views including the barrel marking on page 244 of "Battle Weapons of the American Revolution" by George C. Neumann (published by Scurlock Publishing Co., 1998). Only two other 2nd Battalion marked pistols are known to this writer, both are in private collections; to our knowledge, they have not been published. Overall pistol length is 12-3/4". Full round, iron barrel with a baluster breech, tapered from breech to muzzle where it flares slightly. "Ro H R 2d B" engraved on top of breech in block letters excepting the "d", above and after the "2", which is engraved with a flourish. Lock is 5" overall with unbridled pan. "Io CHRISTIE" engraved in block letters with flourishes in two lines under the pan. All metal stock; the fractional engraved issue markings on top of partially the grip area worn and only partially distinct. The upper is the company designation, the lower is the issue number, in this case "N46" with "N" being worn. The left flat of the stock, directly opposite to the lock, is engraved in large characters "XIX", the significance of which is unknown to this writer. The already cited "Pitcairn" piece has "XXVII" on the same position. For being an all iron weapon constantly subjected to rusting and corrosion, the overall state is quite good. The lock is all original except the frizzen which, while an old one, is an improper style, ill-fitting, present day replacement. The internal mainspring is missing. The vent or touch hole pick, screwed into the stock between the scrolls of the butt, is a genuine, period pick from another Highland pistol but evidently a replacement on this example; they are frequently missing. The shape of the finial on Scottish pistols traditionally matches that of the trigger. The original iron ramrod as well as the iron belt hook, the latter would have been secured over the "XIX" marking, are missing. Often these hooks were deliberately removed by the pistols' owners. This is a scarce and important regimentally marked pistol.
Caliber/Bore
.52 Smoothbore
Model
Flintlock All Steel Pistol