Flintlock pistol

Status

Not on view

Label Text

George Washington's correspondence includes dozens of references to purchasing pistols and to receiving them as gifts from friends. His executors recorded four pairs of pistols and "7 Guns" in his Study after his death. This pair of flintlock holster or traveling pistols survived in good condition until the mid-19th century, when family history maintains a curious servant fired one.

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Datec. 1780

Possible maker William Woolley (English)

Geography Retailed - EnglandMade - England

Medium/TechniqueWalnut, brass (barrel), paktong, silver wire inlay, steel

DimensionsOverall: 5 7/8 in. x 14 3/4 in. x 2 1/8 in. (14.92 cm x 37.47 cm x 5.4 cm)

Credit LineGift of Mary Mildred Sullivan and George Hammond Sullivan, 1917

Object numberW-480/A

DescriptionOne of a pair of smoothbore flintlock pistols. Octagonal brass barrel. Walnut stock with fish tail shape grip or butt. Cast and engraved brass side- and lockplate, escutcheon, trigger guard, and stirrup-shape butt cap with grotesque mask. Escutcheon and sideplate feature military trophies; trigger guard forward finial embellished with an acorn. Silver wire inlay at tang of a shell surrounded by scrolls. Iron flintlock firing mechanism with gooseneck hammer. Bridled flash pan.

Published ReferencesJames C. Rees, Treasures from Mount Vernon: George Washington Revealed (Mount Vernon, VA: MVLA, 1999), 43 (ill.).

Mount Vernon Ladies Association, General Washington's Military Equipment (Mount Vernon, VA: MVLA, 1963), 37-8, fig. 30.

Mount Vernon Ladies Association, General Washington's Swords and Campaign Equipment (Mount Vernon, VA: MVLA, 1944): 30-1, pl. VII.

MarkingsStamped twice on proper left side of barrel at breech with a crown above two crossed sceptres (Tower of London private proof marks). Engraved on top of barrel at breech: "London", and on lockplate: "Woolley".

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