[Thomas McDonald]

Checkout this sites fine offerings ! Mac

http://www.flayderman.com/





(Although in our "about us" paragraph we state that each of the items offered here on our website is a one-of-a-kind, authentic antique.....with NO modern reproductions... the quality of this piece in this case convinced us to make an exception!)
ITEM B411 - EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS RAM’S HORN BUTT, ALL STEEL FLINTLOCK BELT PISTOL. (ENTIRELY HAND ENGRAVED WITH SILVER INLAYS) An exceptional quality, modern made duplication identical to the pistols carried by Major John Pitcairn of the British Royal Marines at the battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 and conceivably "…fired the shot heard round the world." . This pistol is an exact recreation, entirely hand fashioned, of those famous guns (now owned by the Lexington, Mass. Historical Society); an illustration of those guns is seen in the classic reference Arms and Armor in Colonial America (page 193) by Peterson. 12 inches overall. 7 inch barrel; round in its center with fluted ribbed section at breech and octagonal section at the slightly flared muzzle as typical of other fine quality Scottish handguns of the era. Entire barrel elegantly hand engraved with delicately detailed scroll and floral motifs. Matching all steel full stock is also elegantly and profusely engraved its entire full length with a few engraved silver inlays in the steel, typical of those found on the Scottish handguns of the more noted makers. A large oval silver inlay at each side of handle engraved with the arms of a noble family on the right side and a commemorative inscription "LEXINGTON APRIL 19, 1775" on the left. The handle of the removable touch-hole pick on the underside of butt (between the ram’s horns) is engraved silver. Even the elegantly fashioned long steel belt hook is engraved and its mounting frame superbly fashioned in delicately pierced open work. The beautifully turned steel ramrod carries out the quality displayed throughout the pistol. Engraved lock with matching profuse designs with the markings of the noted 18th century maker "JOHN MURDOCH" of Doune, Scotland the known maker of Pitcairns guns. An example of an eighteenth century Scottish pistol of this same quality (but without the historical association) would easily fetch in excess of $10,000.00 on the collector’s market as it exists today. Beautifully made, working example of a most historic handgun directly associated with the most famous event in early American history…2450.00







ITEM B876 - THIS GOLD & SILVER MOUNTED, DOUBLE BARRELED (OVER/UNDER) FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS IS NOT ONLY ONE OF THE MOST FASCINATING, INTRIGUING AND HANDSOME ANTIQUE FIREARMS THAT WE HAVE EVER HANDLED, BUT QUALIFIES AS AN EXTREME FIREARMS RARITY AND EXAMPLE OF FIREARMS CURIOSA! Exceptionally ornate, French made circa 1790s-1810 for the Middle-East trade; quite likely an Arabian prince or crowned potentate. The flintlock ignition system is a type seldom encountered and one considered a great rarity. The single lock which may individually fire each barrel has a double sliding flashpan. After the top barrel is fired the upper flashpan slides backwards revealing a second / lower flashpan used to fire the lower barrel. The gold and silver decorations are spectacular; almost every part of the metal and stock are completely inlaid. This exceptional specimen measures 27" overall; 16" barrels have flared, elliptical shaped muzzles. Both the muzzles and the breech ends of the barrels are decorated in gold, each bearing three deep stamped French proofmarks. Decorative gold inlays fill the entire lock and hammer with designs of flags, battle trophies, leaf and floral motifs. Metal is deep age brown in uncleaned, untouched condition. Does not show hard wear or abuse and should clean about excellent and better; just few blemishes, few patches very minor pitting. Full, dark wood stock and forends (fitted between each barrel) just light wear and exc. Entire stock covered from butt to muzzle with exceptionally profuse, silver wire inlays in scroll, floral, sunbursts and other motifs; only few very small pieces of silver wire inlay lacking (only noticeable on close inspection as there is so much of it!) The solid silver mountings, including the trigger guard, buttplate, and sections around tang of barrel and wrist, the sideplates and the front barrel band are solid silver, all of them exceptionally high relief decorated in scroll, floral and military trophy designs. Buttplate especially ornate, both its underside and heel in very high relief military trophies and floral work. Two large overlay silver sections at each side of the butt (right side of butt near the toe has a small ½" x 1 ¼" piece of that silver overlay broken off but using the other side as a pattern, could easily be replaced. Considerable original gilt finish over the silver work still remaining (about 60-70% in most places). In original, untouched condition and a real show-stopper……9500.00

[Michael Pearce]

Oooooh... Purty! As for the price- ow. Wasn't too long ago that items like that were available cheap- not so anymore...