Place of the Handgun in 18th Century

[Bergman3376]

I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledge of flintlock pistols in the 18th century, but I am interested in understanding their purpose in the time period. Were they primarily a symbol of class for officers and gentlemen or were they also frequently used by the common populace? If so, what role did they provide?

 

[tenngun]

Big question.
Lots of civilian pistols were made, but they were primarily military.. a soldier didn’t carry one , while officers did. Cavalry carried them. German units would carry four long barreled wheelocks in the seventeenth century.
Ships had navel pistols to issue to boarding parties. HBC would make trade pistols and the Russians in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest down to California sold trade pistols. Like todies muzzleloaders pistols took a back seat to long arms, but were there and important

 

[Bergman3376]

I would agree the question may be too generalized. More than anything I was curious if the handgun of the 18th century was used as a tool or more of a symbol. Which seems is still a tough questions as the answer is likely, it depends. Thank you for the insight.

 

[tenngun]

It depends on the place.
At sea it made sense to use a hand gun on the chaotic fighting on a deck. On land a status symbol for the officers. Captains could be in the thick of fighting while colonel and generals not so much.
To troopers a tool.
Guns were heavy and expensive so a wealthy man might have a pocket pistol ( large pockets so full sized gun) but working Joe no, a knife was cheaper and gave him self protection.
They did get on th the frontier, but for the most part it was extra weight for little gain. In Europe it was military or wealthy. Until revolvers or pepper box they just were secondary. Even the fine ‘Kentucky pistols’ tended to be for the upper crust.

 

[TNGhost]

Then there was "dueling", and there were even ladies "pocket" or "muff" flint pistols for self defense.

 

[Stophel]

Pistols were there in 18th century America, you could get one if you wanted, but most probably didn't. They could be as expensive as a long gun, and nowhere near as useful. People did not go around with flintlock pistols stuck in their belt, like in old movies, where they presented the 18th century as just like the "old west".

Men sometimes carried pocket pistols, and sometimes had larger pistols, though I don't know how much they may have actually carried them. Horse pistols were in pairs, carried in "buckets" or pommel holsters.

Thomas Jefferson had a favorite pair of Turkish pistols with very long barrels that he used to squirrel hunt with. But most people had limited funds, and pistols were generally not so useful for them, their gun-buying money more often went to long arms.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
Pistols mostly were made in pairs, often using a single forged barrel that was cut in half for the pair. A pair could be as expensive as a long gun. Although made in colonial America, they were not a common firearm owned by working people. Wealthy folks and mounted military officers often would emulate their European counterparts by owning a pair but they were uncommon among most other folks. Eighteenth century American-made pistols are rare compared with surviving long guns. The situation in Europe was very different. Far more pistols were made there and in Britain for use as personal protection, dueling, and private purchase military service. Still, they were relatively expensive and usually made in pairs. Working class folks probably did not own or carry many except if they worked as livery for a wealthy employer. The ratio of surviving pistols to long guns of European and British make is much higher than in colonial America and the early days of the U.S.

dave

 

[TFoley]

Ships had navel pistols to issue to boarding parties.

Is this why they were call 'belly guns'?

 

[Juice Jaws]

Another question we will truly never know.

 

[Bergman3376]

Thanks for all the information folks.

 

[Stophel]

Another question we will truly never know.

Actually, plenty of evidence is there, if you want to look for it.