An Exceptional Pair of Scottish Scroll Butt Flintlock Pistols by Alexander Campbell of Doune Dating to Circa 1730 Ref: 17.04

This pair of pistols defines the highest levels of quality Scottish pistol manufacture in the second quarter of the 18th century. Both are in fine mechanical order and in original condition.

The locks are of typical "Highland form" with a horizontal sear extending through each lock plate which holds the cock in the half cock position, and a vertical sear is present extending from the top of the trigger plate through a small oblong aperture in the centre the upper surface of each butt. The lock plates are each signed Alexr Campbell and both the cocks, and the areas behind the cocks on the lock plates, are engraved with scrolling foliage. The spines of the butts are engraved and inlaid with delicate Celtic ropework. The fore ends are sumptuously inlaid with a series of complex silver scrolls on four planes. The silver triggers, prickers, iron ramrod tubes and the ramrods are all original.

Underneath the stocks, near each lock, the space is decorated with three silver bands and detailed engraving plus profuse inlay of silver scrolls and intertwined "Celtic" ropework. Each butt is engraved on each side with patterns of chevrons complemented with further inlaid silver scrollwork and vacant silver oval escutcheons on each side. The belt hooks are engraved, spirally fluted and mounted to each stock with attractively pierced side plates.

The four stage barrels have a fluted section near each butt and flared muzzles with octagonal sides boldly engraved with detailed scrolls. The middle sections of the barrels are rounded and boldly engraved with foliage. The overall length of each pistol is fractionally under 14 inches (35.25 cm). The barrels are 8.75 inches (22 cm) long.

 The style of engraving on these pistols is very similar to that of a pistol by the same maker which once belonged to the Jacobite Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the 19th Chief, who was active in leading his clan "out" in the '45 (one of the oval silver escutcheons on the butt is engraved with the words "Unite, for Cameron of Lochiel"). This pistol is preserved at Achnacarry House, the seat of the Clan Cameron, and is in the possession of Sir Donald Cameron of Lochiel. The pistol is illustrated in the Swords and the Sorrows, page 71, fig 5:19. The pistols described here are slightly earlier in style and date, longer and more profusely inlaid with silver.

As the overall length of each pistol in this pair is somewhat longer than is usual in the mid and third quarter of the 18th century, it seems apt to assume a date of manufacture towards the early part of the second quarter of the century. The maker, Alexander Campbell of Doune, is generally regarded to have been most active during this period though few examples of his early work have survived.