Scottish Highlandpistol by John Murdoch of Done

corrado26 · 15th January 2020, 09:01 AM

For the friends of Scottish arms here fotos of what I think is a very fine pistol made by John Murdoch of Doune. The barrel of the pistol has 8 flat grooves, a back- and a frontsight. The postman brought it yesterday.
corrado26

fernando · 15th January 2020, 01:07 PM

Hey Udo ...
You should have told the postman that the correct address for this wonderful baby was not yours ... but mine.
I shall cry over such mistake

.

NeilUK · 15th January 2020, 01:34 PM

Congratulations, Udo. That is a pistol of superb quality and in such good condition, as you obviously know. It would almost make a pair with my John Murdoch pistol! I also have an Alexander Campbell but still searching for a Thomas Caddell (any of the dynasty) at a reasonable price.
Neil

Will M · 15th January 2020, 06:00 PM

That is a magnificent pistol, can you forward to my address? I have a post lady who delivers to my door and I'm in the country!

M ELEY · 16th January 2020, 09:45 AM

An exceptional pistol indeed, made for an officer, no doubt. Many of the steel Scottish pistols made for infantry troops of poorer quality, especially after 1770's, but the higher rank officers had choice pieces. Green with envy-

corrado26 · 16th January 2020, 10:49 AM

When it one day will leave my house it will surely go back to the country it once came from.
corrado26

Kmaddock · 16th January 2020, 12:06 PM

Lovely Gun
Congratulations!

can you tell me what is the ball with the hole in it on the ram rod for and thanks for showing the screw off part on the bottom of the grip, I assume it is for cleaning the touch hole?

Regards

Ken

fernando · 16th January 2020, 12:12 PM

... to introduce the cleaning patch ?

.

Norman McCormick · 16th January 2020, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

When it one day will leave my house it will surely go back to the country it once came from.
corrado26

Hi Udo,
As a Son of Caledonia perhaps one day I could help you to repatriate this fabulous gun.

Many congratulations on your latest acquisition.

My Regards,
Norman.

Fernando K · 16th January 2020, 08:46 PM

Hi

If possible, I would like to see the inside of the lock.

Affectionately

corrado26 · 17th January 2020, 01:59 PM

.............and here are the fotos of the lock's inside. Normally I don't open until today never opened pistols and so I hope it was worth the risk and you are satisfied.
Best regards
corrado26

fernando · 17th January 2020, 02:06 PM

So nice of you, Udo

.
Now, let us see what Fernando K has to say about it.
Looks rather simple ... to me

.

Fernando K · 17th January 2020, 04:11 PM

Hi Corrado

Thank you. It is the first time I see how a Scottish lock works, I can see that the half.cock is achieved by the bar in front of the cock and this full-cock is achieved by the tooth in the nut, which is retained by the guarantor of horizontal movement Again thank you very much.

Affectionately

NeilUK · 17th January 2020, 05:10 PM

I notice that the lock is fitted with an anti-friction roller/wheel which I have never seen on a Doune pistol, or even any Scottish pistol, before. John Murdoch is recorded as still alive or even working in 1798 so it could be that this pistol was made in his later years and he was trying out this new device for faster ignition. Anti-friction rollers seem to have come into use c.1790 and onwards. All supposition but does anyone have a better suggestion?
Regards, Neil

GIO · 17th January 2020, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corrado26

.............and here are the fotos of the lock's inside. Normally I don't open until today never opened pistols and so I hope it was worth the risk and you are satisfied.
Best regards
corrado26

I always take locks off, as often rust remains unseen inside the mechanism. If possible I also dismount completely the locks, eliminate rust and protect all inner parts with grease or oil.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th January 2020, 08:22 PM

JUST to indicate a few links here; please see

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...cw=1117&ch=462

The web notes ~ "The trade is now carried on by John Murdoch, also famous for his ingenuity in the craft and who has likewise furnished pistols to the first nobility of Europe These pistols were sold from 4 to 24 guineas a pair ... when Mr. Murdoch gives over the business, the trade, in all probability will become extinct.' (Sinclair:87). John Murdoch 'manufactured both lobe-butt and ramshorn (scroll)-butt pistols' (Kelvin: 93-4) and he may also have been the partner of another Doune pistol-maker John Christie as pistols signed 'Christie and Murdoch Duni Fecit' of about 1750 survive."

-

corrado26 · 20th January 2020, 07:29 AM

Thanks a lot Ibrahijm for these interesting links
corrado26

Spottedbull · 21st January 2020, 11:42 AM

THAT is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship! Im very jealous!!

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th January 2020, 11:39 PM

i NOTED AN INTERESTING SNIPPET ON A WEB SITE AT

http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...hland-weapons/

From which I quote QUOTE "A Mr Glen has a wheel-lock pistol of the time of Charles I on which the armourer's mark is a pair of bagpipes and the initials C. L.

Logan states that the manufacture of pistols was commenced at Doune about 1646 by Thomas Guide who had learned his trade at Muthil. One of his apprentices, John Campbell, also became a famous maker. John Murdoch succeeded him. Campbell's and Murdoch's pistols are more common than Caddell's. Bissett occurs frequently on Highland pistols in the Tower Armoury. A less known maker is Jo. Chrystie''. UNQUOTE.

corrado26 · 27th January 2020, 07:19 AM

Thanks a lot for this interesting link!

15th January 2020, 09:01 AM	#1
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Scottish Highlandpistol by John Murdoch of Done For the friends of Scottish arms here fotos of what I think is a very fine pistol made by John Murdoch of Doune. The barrel of the pistol has 8 flat grooves, a back- and a frontsight. The postman brought it yesterday. corrado26 Attached Images

15th January 2020, 01:07 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Fantabulous Hey Udo ... You should have told the postman that the correct address for this wonderful baby was not yours ... but mine. I shall cry over such mistake.

17th January 2020, 01:59 PM	#11
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	.............and here are the fotos of the lock's inside. Normally I don't open until today never opened pistols and so I hope it was worth the risk and you are satisfied. Best regards corrado26 Attached Images

19th January 2020, 08:22 PM	#16
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	JUST to indicate a few links here; please see https://www.bing.com/images/search?q...cw=1117&ch=462 The web notes ~ "The trade is now carried on by John Murdoch, also famous for his ingenuity in the craft and who has likewise furnished pistols to the first nobility of Europe These pistols were sold from 4 to 24 guineas a pair ... when Mr. Murdoch gives over the business, the trade, in all probability will become extinct.' (Sinclair:87). John Murdoch 'manufactured both lobe-butt and ramshorn (scroll)-butt pistols' (Kelvin: 93-4) and he may also have been the partner of another Doune pistol-maker John Christie as pistols signed 'Christie and Murdoch Duni Fecit' of about 1750 survive." - Last edited by fernando; 20th January 2020 at 10:53 AM. Reason: Sorry ... no links to dealer websites

15th January 2020, 01:34 PM	#3
NeilUK Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scotland Posts: 125	Congratulations, Udo. That is a pistol of superb quality and in such good condition, as you obviously know. It would almost make a pair with my John Murdoch pistol! I also have an Alexander Campbell but still searching for a Thomas Caddell (any of the dynasty) at a reasonable price. Neil

15th January 2020, 06:00 PM	#4
Will M Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: In the wee woods north of Napanee Ontario Posts: 391	That is a magnificent pistol, can you forward to my address? I have a post lady who delivers to my door and I'm in the country!

16th January 2020, 09:45 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,089	An exceptional pistol indeed, made for an officer, no doubt. Many of the steel Scottish pistols made for infantry troops of poorer quality, especially after 1770's, but the higher rank officers had choice pieces. Green with envy-

16th January 2020, 10:49 AM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	When it one day will leave my house it will surely go back to the country it once came from. corrado26

16th January 2020, 12:06 PM	#7
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Lovely Gun Congratulations! can you tell me what is the ball with the hole in it on the ram rod for and thanks for showing the screw off part on the bottom of the grip, I assume it is for cleaning the touch hole? Regards Ken

16th January 2020, 12:12 PM	#8
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	... to introduce the cleaning patch ? .

16th January 2020, 08:46 PM	#10
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 669	Hi If possible, I would like to see the inside of the lock. Affectionately

17th January 2020, 02:06 PM	#12
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	So nice of you, Udo . Now, let us see what Fernando K has to say about it. Looks rather simple ... to me .

17th January 2020, 04:11 PM	#13
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 669	Hi Corrado Thank you. It is the first time I see how a Scottish lock works, I can see that the half.cock is achieved by the bar in front of the cock and this full-cock is achieved by the tooth in the nut, which is retained by the guarantor of horizontal movement Again thank you very much. Affectionately

17th January 2020, 05:10 PM	#14
NeilUK Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Scotland Posts: 125	I notice that the lock is fitted with an anti-friction roller/wheel which I have never seen on a Doune pistol, or even any Scottish pistol, before. John Murdoch is recorded as still alive or even working in 1798 so it could be that this pistol was made in his later years and he was trying out this new device for faster ignition. Anti-friction rollers seem to have come into use c.1790 and onwards. All supposition but does anyone have a better suggestion? Regards, Neil

20th January 2020, 07:29 AM	#17
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Thanks a lot Ibrahijm for these interesting links corrado26

21st January 2020, 11:42 AM	#18
Spottedbull Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Maypearl, Texas USA Posts: 10	THAT is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship! Im very jealous!!

26th January 2020, 11:39 PM	#19
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	i NOTED AN INTERESTING SNIPPET ON A WEB SITE AT http://www.tartansauthority.com/high...hland-weapons/ From which I quote QUOTE "A Mr Glen has a wheel-lock pistol of the time of Charles I on which the armourer's mark is a pair of bagpipes and the initials C. L. Logan states that the manufacture of pistols was commenced at Doune about 1646 by Thomas Guide who had learned his trade at Muthil. One of his apprentices, John Campbell, also became a famous maker. John Murdoch succeeded him. Campbell's and Murdoch's pistols are more common than Caddell's. Bissett occurs frequently on Highland pistols in the Tower Armoury. A less known maker is Jo. Chrystie''. UNQUOTE.

27th January 2020, 07:19 AM	#20
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,204	Thanks a lot for this interesting link!