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Flintlock turn-off pistols belonging to Artemas Ward

Flintlock turn-off pistols belonging to Artemas Ward Brass and wood

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    Brass and wood by unidentified maker in Birmingham, England, 1750-1785

    12.5 cm x 28 cm x 5 cm

    View 1: Firearms 0754.01

    View 2: Firearms 0754.02


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    • Main description

    [ This description is from the project: Revolutionary-era Art and Artifacts ]

    These pistols belonged to Artemas Ward (1727-1800), a major general in the American Revolutionary War and a Massachusetts Congressman.

    These two brass flintlock pistols have steel barrels and lock plates marked "GALTON."  This style of pistol is the English version of a turn-off pistol (barrel unscrews from the breach) and is also known as a Queen Anne pistol because of its popularity during her reign and throughout the 18th century. Each barrel is 15 cm. long, rifled with 8 grooves.  All the metal areas on the pistols, including Brass trigger guards, side plates and shield plates are engraved with simple decorative motifs. Each pistol has a walnut stock/grip that ends in a pommel displaying a brass gargoyle face cap.