Flintlock belt pistol
Maker: John Murdoch (Scottish, active c. 1775-1812)
Medium:Steel and silver
Geography: Doune, Scotland
Date: c. 1800
Dimensions:31.5 cm (length)
Object number: 970.265
DescriptionThis pistol was owned by William McGillivray (1764 - 1825) who, in 1804, became the second person to head the North West Company, the Montreal-based rival to the Hudson’s Bay Company in Canada’s fur trade. He was the chief negotiator for the North West Company when it merged with the latter in 1821. This pistol is of a distinctly Highland Scottish type with its double-scrolled “ram’s horn” butt, elaborate engraved and silver inlay ornament, and knob trigger. Pistols of this kind were usually made in pairs.
