Pair of flintlock pistols belonging to Captain John Piper, c. 1800-1815 / made by McCormick of Belfast

Notes compiled for the Mitchell Library, c. 1989:

The pistols are a matching pair or "brace". They are probably not duelling pistols since the barrels would have been too shiny;  they were probably gentleman's pistols for self-defence, or target pistols. McCormick was in Belfast between 1800 and circa 1815.

The pistols are numbered on the barrels 008660 and 008661. Number 008661 is in worse repair than the other, having its hammer broken off at the stem and the pan-cover spring broken. The decoration on the finials is a "pineapple" type on a pedestal. All steel is shiny - none is blued. The handles are checkered wood. There are no metal butt-plates.

The end of the ram rod screws off;  there was probably a cleaning kit which is no longer with the pistols, which had brushes, swabs and so forth which could be attached to the ram rod and used for cleaning purposes. The ram rod with number 008661 is of wood with a metal end, the other ram rod is of metal.

The barrel and trigger assembly and side-lock plate are all of steel. Chasings including finial are of silver. The pan on both is lined with brass and there are brass chasings at the receiver end of the barrel.

References: 
English, Irish and Scottish firearms makers, by A. Merwyn Casey;  British pistols and guns, 1640-1840, by Jan Glendenning;  Weapons through the ages, by William Reid

Pair of flintlock pistols belonging to Captain John Piper, c. 1800-1815 / made by McCormick of Belfa...

Tags

Identifiers

File Identifier

Permalink

Reference Code

Hierarchy

Connecting people and collections

Indigenous engagement

Schools and teachers

Stories