December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2024
Circa 1750. This pistol is nearly identical to the pistols carried at Lexington and Concord by Major John Pitcairn of the British Royal Marines. His horse was shot out from under him, and he lost his pair of matched Thomas Murdoch Scottish pistols. Famous patriot leader Israel Putnam found them and carried them throughout the rest of the war. The pistols are currently located at the Lexington Museum. According to page 170 of "The Scottish Pistol" by Martin Kelvin, Thomas Murdoch, who worked between 1750 and 1791, was the most prolific of all the Doune gunsmiths with 81 known pistols surveyed, although 55 were lobe butts. Of classic form with four-stage barrel with flared faceted muzzle and engraving throughout. The all-steel ramshorn butt stock is profusely engraved en suite. There is extensive silver-inlaid geometric designs on the back of the grip. The lock is signed "T: MURDOCH" in center. Rounded pan with no exterior bridle. Engraved silver ball trigger and original touchhole pick. Vacant silver oval escutcheons on both sides of the grip. There are three silver inlaid and engraved bands on the bottom of the stock, one behind the trigger and two in front. Pierced and engraved steel belt hook on left side of stock. Classic turned steel ramrod and single tube ramrod ferrule. CONDITION: All steel components retain a medium grey patina with some darker areas and areas of light pitting. Lock function properly and mechanism is strong. Silver ball on pick is original; trigger possibly a very old replacement.
Caliber/Bore
.56 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Thomas Murdoch