Historic British Sawhandle Flintlock Duelers
Probably by Durs Egg
Converted during the period of use...
OWNED-CARRIED BY AN OFFICER
DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR
Pair of sawhandle dueling pistols almost certainly by the famous maker Durs Egg. Inscribed on the butt "Gilbert Johnstone Jr Gent 1743" and his seal - a winged spur with a star for the rowell. They are of the style made by Egg in this period. They are heavy-barreled with .67 caliber carbine bores of the size preferred by officers who wanted the same caliber as their military weapons. The patent breech barrels are 10" in length and stamped on the underside with crown over crossed scepters and the initials "RH". They are half-stock sawhandle pistols with engraved iron trigger guards with second finger spurs and pineapple finials, single set trigger, iron ramrod thimbles and a steel under rib to support the rammer. The tangs are highly engraved steel. The breeches are case colored with two platinum bands. The word "London" is inlaid in gold in fancy old English letters on the top flat of each barrel. The single barrel keys are set into rectangular silver escutcheons. The butts have large oval silver inlays with the inscription above on each pistol. The locks, which originally were flint, are steel showing traces of case coloring with engraving particularly fine behind the hammers and on the sliding safeties. A gold inset cartouche below the pans would have had the maker's name but when the guns were converted to percussion in the period of use, this name was deliberately obscured. Bear in mind that Johnstone was considered an outlaw in England. In later years in America when the conversion was done, circa 1850s his family meant to strike the reference to the British maker for some political or social reason. These locks were originally flintlock with a single screw sideplate. When converted to percussion, or possibly before that, there was a silver shield inset ahead of the lock to protect that area of the wood from burning. This piece was very professionally done continuing all the way under the barrel in the wood channel. The plateau opposite the lock is beautifully inlaid in silver vines with bunches of grapes and grape leaves covering the entire plateau.
On one pistol, a grape bunch is missing. On the other, a grape leaf and a smaller leaf are missing. The barrels are a medium to dark brown patina. The breeches are lighter with a faded case coloring. The stocks are unbroken and intact with the exception of a small chip at the toe of one pistol where the trigger guard tang has put pressure on the raised wooden border of the flat butt. On the other pistol, this same piece has begun to crack but is still there. The pistols have seen some poor storage over the years. There is some light pitting and some corrosion in a few spots on the barrels. The wood has numerous dents. The butts have numerous dents on the silver inlays although the markings are still very legible. Both pistols have fixed open sights and ramrods which are probably 100 year old replacements.
Gilbert Johnstone Jr., Gentleman was likely born in 1743. It is believed that Johnstone was heir to the Earl of Annondale, but was stripped of his Scottish title and property for plotting against the king. Considered an outlaw, he fled to American to take up residence with his uncle, Gov. Gabriel Johnstone then royal governor of North Carolina. Gilbert Jr. and his son Hugo or Hugh fought in the American Revolution. It is known that he knew Francis Marion (The Swamp Fox) and it is possible that they fought under Marion's command. A provenance with engraving, handwritten letter and genealogy accompany the pair of guns.
LIT-816/JL-41/AYSS
Price: $10,700
If you are interested in buying this item, please call (978) 597-8084 or email David Hillier at drh@aaawt.com or Aaron Littlefield at ajl@aaawt.com
DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED
