Extremely Rare Pre-Culloden All Metal Scottish “Heart-Butt” Flintlock Belt Pistol Circa 1720

7 and 1/2 inch barrel. 54 caliber. All Scottish pistols made before the horrendous battle of Culloden in 1745 which resulted in the death of all too many Highlanders as well as an independent Scotland are rarities. Following the battle the English government proscribed all symbols of Scottish independence including targes and bagpipes, made possession of firearms and swords a capital offense. Rather than surrender their treasured pistols many patriotic Scots buried them and almost all those that were not were destroyed.

Heart butt flintlock pistols are among the rarest and most desirable of the surviving examples. The round barrel is fully inlaid throughout its length Scottish symbols including hearts. The flat lock is stepped at the tail and inlaid with a silver lozenge. The gooseneck cock is sparsely engraved. The steel frame is inlaid on the spine with a silver heart ensuite with those on the barrel. The classic steel heart butt is incised with line decoration. Steel ball trigger capped with an engraved silver flower as are nearly all early Highland pistols. The round pricker is an old replacement. Long pierced steel belt hook is the original.

Condition is good for a pre-Culloden pistol with the usual minor corrosion overall and is now gray steel. The lovely silver inlays are mostly intact with expected wear. The steel stock with period repairs and delimitation testifying to its antiquity. Lock is polished with remnants of a signature. Action works properly and bore is fair. The steel ramrod is an old replacement as it lacks the “tommy bar” of the originals. 11 and 1/2 inches overall.

With repairs as noted this is a genuine 1720 period Highland flintlock pistol that was doubtless carried with pride by a Scottish gentleman of quality.