A BRIEF Intro to the " All Steel Highland Scots Pistol"

[puffer]

For those of you who are interested, here is a VERY BRIEF Intro to the "All Steel Ramshorn Highland Scots Pistol". I chose this STYLE, because it is the one most people associate with the Highland Scots Pistol". Highland Scots Pistol = HSP

NOTE - I AM NOT AN EXPERT but I have a INTEREST & have & am doing research on this pistol.

Terms
1. Ramshorn (aka Scroll butt) Here is a "typical "ramshorn"

Here is another style ( "Heart Butt")

2. All Steel. The HSP was made also of Brass etc.. but Steel was predominate

3."Highland Scots" - This is used to designate that this sryle pistol was VERY different from those used by the majority of Scots ( Lowlanders)

The HSP was UNIQUE
Some uniqe features
1. Highland LOCK
2. Trigger - a Ball
3. No trigger guard
4. Vent pick in the butt
5. Belt hook - although other pistols had belt hooks, the VAST majority of the HPS had this feature.
6. Engraving - although other pistols were ingraved, ALL (but the last issue Brit. gov. pistol) had at least some engraving. & most was unique.

Where Made - The majority were made in the Lowlands ( areas abuting the Highlands) (The exception being the Brit. Gov. Issue to the "Highland Reg.s ( these were mainly made in BIRMINGHAM ENGLAND)

Scottis (Highland) makers - This site will give an idea of some of the makers
http://www.picturetrail.com/sfx/album/view/5104037

Who carrid -
1.Highland LAIRDS Cheifs ( Fanciest , often a STATIS Symbol)
2.Common Highlander ( grade depended on $$$ he had)
3. Military - Highland Reg.s were issued HBSs ( officers most often bought their own & the grade was dependent on their $$)
4. Military - other - mercenaries & those of Highland heritage ( esp. officers.)
5. Civilians of Highland heritage located outside of the highlands

Where carrid & used -
1 UK,
2. W. europe (incl. Russia)
3. The Americas
$. ETC

Here are some pictures of the VARIOUS grades

1. Brit Highland Issue ( PLAINEST)
2. "Commond"
3. Better
$. Fancy



AND "THE BEAT GOES ON"

Puffer

[Finn]

Thank you for the tutorial. Good pics too.

[macneighill]

Very cool Puffer! Here is something that might be of interest to you (or anyone else that may be into antique firearms).

Scottish Pistol "Steel Framed"

[puffer]

Very cool Puffer! Here is something that might be of interest to you (or anyone else that may be into antique firearms).

Scottish Pistol "Steel Framed"

My "dream" is to get this kit from TRS, I even have a gun smith who is skilled enough to put it together ( note it requires someone, who not only is a skilled gunsmith, but also a machinest) But it is the ENGRAVING I can not afford BIG $$ for even a nice "common grade"

Puffer

[puffer]

OOPs I forgot to include some ref. sources besides the site I posted ( I have lots of other sites)

Printed suggestiions
1. Very GOOD & inexpensie book ( BASICS)
"SCOTTISH FIREARMS" by Claude Blair and Robert Woosnam-Savage
ISBN 0-919316-31-X

2. One of the best (IMHO)) but expensive
"The Scottish Pistol - Its History,Manufacture,and Design By Martin Kelvin
ISBN I-900541-157 & 0-8386-3745-0

Puffer

[puffer]

Here is a site that shows a TRS kit FINISHED.http://www.bolis.com/gallery/album04/IMG_5902

Cost, don't ask

Puffer

[bowser]

I have not seen one of those before, a question, was the scrolling on the butt just for decoration or was it for a functional reason, knowing the ammount of work that went into making somthing like that, I cant imagine that it started without some seed of a reason?

[Highlander31]

Nice photos and post Puffer. I always enjoy expanding my knowledge.

[macneighill]

Cost, don't ask

One can only imagine :mrgreen:. I collect antique firearms so, I can fathom how expensive it might be.

[Woodsheal]

Here are some earlier (1600's) types, with snaphaunce locks, mixing brass and steel, and with differing butt styles:







Notice that a 'brace' of Scottish pistols has the locks on opposite sides of the guns: left side for the left hand pistol, and vice versa.

Here's an early (1670) all-steel flintlock 'dag.' A lateral sear catches the back of the hammer on this one:



These images are from Culloden: The Swords and the Sorrows, the Nat'l Trust for Scotland, 1996.