Comments on the W & G. Chance of London flintlock pistol.

Atlantia · 1st November 2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dmitry

I don't know whether it is pewter, or a pewter-like alloy, but it certainly isn't beat up, perhaps because it is of fair thickness.
I definitely agree on the less expensive choice of mounting. When polished bright pewter resembles silver, which would be even softer, by the way.

It certainly looks like pewter in the pics, and the colour is right. As for the visible wear, it does look like its got the characteristic plethora of tiny marks that pewter often acquires over time.
In general the whole gun looks like its been pretty well cared for. Its a rather nice piece!
Are you tempted to take one off and see if there are makers/hall-marks on the back?

Dmitry · 2nd November 2009, 02:47 AM

There were no markings on the inside of the counter plate.

M ELEY · 6th November 2009, 06:05 AM

Despite the sometimes brittle state of pewter, it was a valued alloy of the period. Early colonial American swords frequently used it in their hilts and grip strapwork. Likewise, along with brass and copper examples, there were even Native American trade tomahawk blades made from pewter. It does polish up quite nicely. In any case, I like this flintlock!

Dmitry · 8th November 2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M ELEY

Despite the sometimes brittle state of pewter, it was a valued alloy of the period. Early colonial American swords frequently used it in their hilts and grip strapwork.

Hi,
I have never encountered an American colonial sword with pewter-mounted hilt. Would it be possible to indicate where I could see such swords?

M ELEY · 12th November 2009, 11:32 AM

Yikes! I mis-spoke when I used the word "frequently". I have seen at least 1 colonial-made sword with pewter strapwork to it's hilt, but do not remember the site, nor have I been able to find it again-

. (I will continue to search for the site, though...) I own a Rev War hanger with lead decorated hilt, likewise, lead was used in at least one example in Neumann's guide. As stated, pewter was used to make tomahawk blades of the period and shortly there-after (see Hartsler's and Knowle's book for numerous examples). Another part of a lead sword guard was found at a dig-site I saw online; again, I can't find the site again.

M ELEY · 12th November 2009, 11:36 AM

[url]http://www.michaelsimens.com/items.asp?productCategory=Sold%Edged%20Weapons&pro ductCategory2=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons&productCatego ry3=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons

M ELEY · 12th November 2009, 11:42 AM

Oh well, didn't work.

This site had a nice CW bowie in pewter mounts that had sold...

2nd November 2009, 02:47 AM	#2
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	There were no markings on the inside of the counter plate.

6th November 2009, 06:05 AM	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,146	Despite the sometimes brittle state of pewter, it was a valued alloy of the period. Early colonial American swords frequently used it in their hilts and grip strapwork. Likewise, along with brass and copper examples, there were even Native American trade tomahawk blades made from pewter. It does polish up quite nicely. In any case, I like this flintlock!

12th November 2009, 11:32 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,146	Yikes! I mis-spoke when I used the word "frequently". I have seen at least 1 colonial-made sword with pewter strapwork to it's hilt, but do not remember the site, nor have I been able to find it again- . (I will continue to search for the site, though...) I own a Rev War hanger with lead decorated hilt, likewise, lead was used in at least one example in Neumann's guide. As stated, pewter was used to make tomahawk blades of the period and shortly there-after (see Hartsler's and Knowle's book for numerous examples). Another part of a lead sword guard was found at a dig-site I saw online; again, I can't find the site again.

12th November 2009, 11:36 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,146	[url]http://www.michaelsimens.com/items.asp?productCategory=Sold%Edged%20Weapons&pro ductCategory2=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons&productCatego ry3=Sold%20Edged%20Weapons

12th November 2009, 11:42 AM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,146	Oh well, didn't work. This site had a nice CW bowie in pewter mounts that had sold...