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hhampton6463

32 Cal
Joined
May 24, 2024
Messages
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Location
Texas
Purchased this piece from a coin shop in East Texas. Shop owner says it tests 20% silver, engraved “Mason Inverness” and sales tag said 1750’s era. Per my research it looks to be a Scottish style belt pistol, but the Mason Inverness is getting me nowhere. I’ve been told flintlock but also caplock. Any help would be appreciated!
 

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Eterry said:
A nice looking pistol. It may have began life as a flintlock, if so, it may have been converted to percussion in the 19th century. What size is the bore?
I'm guessing Mason Iverness may have been the owner.
Click to expand...
Not sure of the bore size, I’ll see if I can take it somewhere to get that measured.
 
Great find! You did well I think.
It appears to be a fine Murdoch style Scottish pistol, though I have only seen those as flintlocks. This one was not a flintlock unless the lock was changed (there are no indications of the lock plate being a flintlock), and the percussion nipple bolster looks integrated to the barrel breach, so unless it was re-breeches that barrel was always a percussion. So time period of 1830’s or later.
From the absence of engraving on the off side ( opposit the lock) it looks like it may have had a belt hook, a common characteristic of the Murdoch pistols.
One suggestion would be to replace the Philips Head screw (not original and not period) with a slotted screw.
PS- check that it is not loaded.
 
Last edited:
PathfinderNC said:
Great find! You did well I think.
It appears to be a fine Murdoch style Scottish pistol, though I have only seen those as flintlocks. This one was not a flintlock unless the lock was changed (there are no indications of the lock plate being a flintlock), and the percussion nipple bolster looks integrated to the barrel breach, so unless it was re-breeches that barrel was always a percussion. So time period of 1830’s or later.
From the absence of engraving on the off side ( opposit the lock) it looks like it may have had a belt hook, a common characteristic of the Murdoch pistols.
One suggestion would be to replace the Philips Head screw (not original and not period) with a slotted screw.
PS- check that it is not loaded.
Click to expand...
Good looking out lol, it’s not loaded. We are going to take it to a local gunsmith shop to see if he can change the screw, measure the caliber and anything else he thinks would be appropriate. Thank you for your insight.
 
hhampton6463 said:
Good looking out lol, it’s not loaded. We are going to take it to a local gunsmith shop to see if he can change the screw, measure the caliber and anything else he thinks would be appropriate. Thank you for your insight.
Click to expand...
Great- just realize that gunsmiths dealing with contemporary or modern guns might not have the knowledge or experience of working with fine antique firearms. If possible you might look for someone in the antique gun field. It’s a fine pistol that should get fine care.
 
These were sold as highland costume accessories in the 1830’- 1890’s. And later. I doubt it could even be fired, may not be functional. Some were made by gunmakers, some were just cast parts.
 
PathfinderNC said:
If possible you might look for someone in the antique gun field.
Click to expand...
If you're near Houston, you could take it to Collector's Firearms on Westheimer.
They are like a museum with the exhibits for sale.
At museum prices, but if you really want something, well...
They have knowledgeable folks that could probably provide some info.
Good luck in your research.
 
Brazos John said:
If you're near Houston, you could take it to Collector's Firearms on Westheimer.
They are like a museum with the exhibits for sale.
At museum prices, but if you really want something, well...
They have knowledgeable folks that could probably provide some info.
Good luck in your research.
Click to expand...
Great info, I’m in the Dallas area but get down to Houston often. I will reach out to them. Thank you so much!
 
hhampton6463 said:
Purchased this piece from a coin shop in East Texas. Shop owner says it tests 20% silver, engraved “Mason Inverness” and sales tag said 1750’s era. Per my research it looks to be a Scottish style belt pistol, but the Mason Inverness is getting me nowhere. I’ve been told flintlock but also caplock. Any help would be appreciated!
Click to expand...
Inverness is local to Loch Ness .
The pistol appears to be the Scottish rams head pistol probably originally flintlock and converted to percussion later. (Very nice pistol, very nice conversion.) If you've ever heard of " the shot hear round the world" which was the opening shot of Lexington and Concord, its believed by some this was the type of pistol that fired that shot. (Although nobody really knows exactly who fired the shot)
 
As some of the folks have mentioned, it's a 19th century pistol. That lock was not converted btw, as there are no holes nor indication of the 3 holes that would need to have been present and remain or were repaired for the frizzen (should be one) and the frizzen spring (should be two). ;)

Probably worth the money having it fully restored.

LD
 

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