Flintlock pistol
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 seven 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)
Medium/TechniqueWalnut, brass (barrel), paktong, silver wire inlay, steel
DimensionsOverall: 3 1/2 in. x 2 1/8 in. x 10 3/4 in. (8.89 cm x 5.4 cm x 27.31 cm)
Credit LineGift of Mary Mildred Sullivan and George Hammond Sullivan, 1917
Object numberW-480/B
DescriptionOne of a pair of smoothbore flintlock pistols. Octagonal brass barrel. Walnut stock. Cast and engraved brass side- and lockplates, escutcheon, and trigger guard. 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.One of a pair, W-480/A-B.
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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