Washington’s Pistols
BY Herschel Smith
2 years, 9 months ago
Washington opened the display box, and, to his delight, found an exquisite pair of matched English pistols …
Sir,
Altho’ [Although] I am not much accustomed to accept presents, I cannot refuse one offered in such polite terms as accompanied the pistols & furniture you were so obliging as to send me by Capt. Fauntleroy. They are very elegant & deserve my best thanks, which are offered with much sincerity. The favorable sentiments you are pleased to entertain of me, & the obliging and flattering manner in which they are expressed add to the obligation & I am Sir, Yr [your] Most Obedt [obedient] & Most H: [humble] Serv [servant]GW
The Washington pistols at West Point are a pair of identical, flintlock, silver-mounted, English pommel pistols (to be carried in holsters over a saddle’s pommel,) 14″ long in total length. The 8″-long, octagon-to-round brass barrels show clear British proofmarks and are stamped with the initials “RW,” which has been determined to be the touchmark for the London gunmaker Richard Wilson. The sideplates display motifs of lions and unicorns. Both of the grips have engraved silver bands with the name: “Gen.l G. Washington.” Hawkins, the name of a gunmaker, also from London, is engraved upon the lockplates. One interesting feature about the locks is that they are equipped with a sliding-tab safety, located underneath and behind the cocking mechanisms. This allows the guns to be safely carried cocked, loaded and primed. Both pistols, ergonomically, felt right at home in the hand and are in good enough condition that I believe they could be safely loaded and fired.
We’ve discussed this before. Every man loves nice weapons with exquisite furniture.
There’s a place for composite guns, but there will always be a market for Walnut furniture and noticeably fine craftsmanship.
Gun makers, take notice.
On February 22, 2022 at 10:28 pm, BRVTVS said:
Those aren’t the only fine pistols belonging to Washington. If you ever get to visit the Fort Ligonier Museum, there is a pair of very beautiful pistols on display that Lafayette gave him.
On February 23, 2022 at 1:00 am, ROFuher said:
Artist & Engineer joined in holy matrimony.