Coin Shop find, need help identifying

[hhampton6463]

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!

 

[Eterry]

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.

 

[Sam squanch]

It always was a percussion pistol. It’s a highland costume pistol, made in the Victorian era. Probably never loaded and fired.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

Looks Scottish, nice old pistol, pretty certain it was born a caplock.

 

[hhampton6463]

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.

Not sure of the bore size, I’ll see if I can take it somewhere to get that measured.

 

[William Sublette]

Did you pay $1500 for it?

 

[Codger Craig Wilcox]

Inverness is a city in Scotland. "Mason" may be the maker's last name. Pretty little piece!

 

[Colonial Boy]

The trigger looks like a rough replacement as is the phillip’s head screw that is holding the lock in.
I’d also say that it is originally percussion.

 

[hhampton6463]

Did you pay $1500 for it?

No, paid $900 for it. We are coin collectors and it was at one of our local shops. Probably over paid but it tested to have some silver in it, and we liked it lol.

 

[Sam squanch]

It would be worth fixing up. With some Scottish daggers it would be an awesome display .

 

[Uncle Miltie]

No, paid $900 for it. We are coin collectors and it was at one of our local shops. Probably over paid but it tested to have some silver in it, and we liked it lol.

You didn't overpay for that pistol.

 

[[email protected]]

Inverness is a city in Scotland. "Mason" may be the maker's last name. Pretty little piece!

Is also the name of the last tugboat my dad owned. Made my first trip to Alaska on it in 1966.

 

[PathfinderNC]

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.

 

[hhampton6463]

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.

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.

 

[PathfinderNC]

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.

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.

 

[Sam squanch]

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.

 

[Brazos John]

If possible you might look for someone in the antique gun field.

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.

 

[hhampton6463]

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.

Great info, I’m in the Dallas area but get down to Houston often. I will reach out to them. Thank you so much!

 

[Capnball]

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!

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)

 

[Loyalist Dave]

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