English Brass-barreled North American Trade Pistol, ca. 1790

Description

Blued flat lockplate with engraved border and triple feather mark typical of trade guns,
marked T KETLAND & Co”; featuring swan neck cock. Tapering round brass 8 3/4″ barrel
of approximately .70 cal., with engraved breech and muzzle, stamped “LONDON” and
bearing Birmingham view and proof marks. Blued steel barrel tang with engraved border
and triple feather mark matching the lock. Brass mounts featuring engraved trigger guard
with bud-shaped finial, buttcap, sideplate, ramrod thimble, and vacant escutcheon. Buttcap
screw bearing the number “25″. Replaced wood ramrod. Figured walnut stock with approx.
2″ crack on reverse where it is weakened by the sideplate mortise (a common defect).
Wood and brass with lovely rich patina. Thomas Ketland, 1737-1816, son of William,
worked in Birmingham from the 1760’s. Ketland & Co. made many guns for trade to their
Native American allies. Overall length 14 ½”.