Patty Fergusen's Pistols

Jim McDougall · 7th September 2025, 03:37 PM

In another account, it seems Ferguson was approached by a Patriot officer presumably outside any sort of action in the moment and when he demanded Ferguson surrender, in defiance Ferguson shot and killed him. So by that account, the use of one of his pistols is in accord.

It also appears that Ferguson was quite a firearms enthusiast, and designed the FERGUSON RIFLE, one of the earliest designs for a breech loading refile as far as British context.

PS: wish I could get images of these pistols from the auction.....anybody more tech savvy?

Rick · 7th September 2025, 07:07 PM

I couldn't lift those images either, Jim. I certainly hope that one of our wizards can lift them for fair use here.
Ferguson's rifle was a weapon that allowed for a much quicker reload time than the Brown Bess, a great advantage in those days. I understand there was one drawback to the design. Black powder is quite dirty and leaves residue after use. The loading mechanism tended to get fouled after a certain number of rounds were fired causing the system to jam.

Jim McDougall · 7th September 2025, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I couldn't lift those images either, Jim. I certainly hope that one of our wizards can lift them for fair use here.
Ferguson's rifle was a weapon that allowed for a much quicker reload time than the Brown Bess, a great advantage in those days. I understand there was one drawback to the design. Black powder is quite dirty and leaves residue after use. The loading mechanism tended to get fouled after a certain number of rounds were fired causing the system to jam.

Good points, it seems issues with powder caused a lot more problems than many realize, another of those dynamics seldom touched on in military history. The fouling of gun barrels by powder was a real problem, not to mention overcharging. There were probably more men killed by explosions of their own guns than we might imagine. It seems I once read that the guns often were more of a threat to the shooter than those being shot at.

M ELEY · 7th September 2025, 09:10 PM

Thank you, Jim, for that thorough and exciting account of the battle and the intricate details of the encounter! Makes me want to go to the battle site immediately! I was thinking that Ferguson's pistols had been accounted for and began to do a little research of my own. Turns out I was thinking of another Scottish officer, Major Pitcairn, who lost his pair of beautiful metal (Scot-style) pistols when his horse bolted from the battlefield. This one seems like an amazing mystery and perhaps the buyer might score big if he or she can prove the provenance someday. I've enjoyed this discussion very much!

werecow · 8th September 2025, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

PS: wish I could get images of these pistols from the auction.....anybody more tech savvy?

These are the images from the liveauctioneers post in the OP.

werecow · 8th September 2025, 12:04 PM

And the last one.

Rick · 8th September 2025, 05:13 PM

Thank you very much Werecow.

If Major Ferguson was indeed dragged by his horse perhaps it was near at hand and his foot might have been still stuck in the stirrup meaning that both pistols just might have been present at the time of his death.
or
Maybe Fergusen was trapped beneath his horse because it too may have been killed in the encounter.

Pure speculation of course.

Jim McDougall · 8th September 2025, 09:16 PM

Thank you Werecow!!! This really helps!!! and thanks for all the detail with these affidavits etc.
There is always question with authenticity and provenance with such high profile weapons, but with these pistols it seems compellingly plausible they are just as stated. The dates are all in accord with maker, proofs etc. and Ferguson's presence in London as well.

He was an esteemed and important figure, and it seems like some sort of biographical or geneological material would exist. Perhaps those would note these pistols in estate, will, etc. though obviously as they were lost that would negate that effect. Still the original documents might have been filed.
As these were holster pistols, unless portraiture of him mounted exists, the pistols would not be seen. The dagger , who knows, but seems like something carried by an officer.

7th September 2025, 03:37 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,661	addendum In another account, it seems Ferguson was approached by a Patriot officer presumably outside any sort of action in the moment and when he demanded Ferguson surrender, in defiance Ferguson shot and killed him. So by that account, the use of one of his pistols is in accord. It also appears that Ferguson was quite a firearms enthusiast, and designed the FERGUSON RIFLE, one of the earliest designs for a breech loading refile as far as British context. PS: wish I could get images of these pistols from the auction.....anybody more tech savvy? Attached Images

8th September 2025, 12:04 PM	#6
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 617	And the last one. Attached Images

8th September 2025, 05:13 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Thank you very much Werecow. If Major Ferguson was indeed dragged by his horse perhaps it was near at hand and his foot might have been still stuck in the stirrup meaning that both pistols just might have been present at the time of his death. or Maybe Fergusen was trapped beneath his horse because it too may have been killed in the encounter. Pure speculation of course. Last edited by Rick; 8th September 2025 at 05:37 PM.

7th September 2025, 07:07 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	I couldn't lift those images either, Jim. I certainly hope that one of our wizards can lift them for fair use here. Ferguson's rifle was a weapon that allowed for a much quicker reload time than the Brown Bess, a great advantage in those days. I understand there was one drawback to the design. Black powder is quite dirty and leaves residue after use. The loading mechanism tended to get fouled after a certain number of rounds were fired causing the system to jam.

7th September 2025, 09:10 PM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,204	Thank you, Jim, for that thorough and exciting account of the battle and the intricate details of the encounter! Makes me want to go to the battle site immediately! I was thinking that Ferguson's pistols had been accounted for and began to do a little research of my own. Turns out I was thinking of another Scottish officer, Major Pitcairn, who lost his pair of beautiful metal (Scot-style) pistols when his horse bolted from the battlefield. This one seems like an amazing mystery and perhaps the buyer might score big if he or she can prove the provenance someday. I've enjoyed this discussion very much!

8th September 2025, 09:16 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,661	Thank you Werecow!!! This really helps!!! and thanks for all the detail with these affidavits etc. There is always question with authenticity and provenance with such high profile weapons, but with these pistols it seems compellingly plausible they are just as stated. The dates are all in accord with maker, proofs etc. and Ferguson's presence in London as well. He was an esteemed and important figure, and it seems like some sort of biographical or geneological material would exist. Perhaps those would note these pistols in estate, will, etc. though obviously as they were lost that would negate that effect. Still the original documents might have been filed. As these were holster pistols, unless portraiture of him mounted exists, the pistols would not be seen. The dagger , who knows, but seems like something carried by an officer.