The Scottish Pistol Project - Part I.

The Peleg Field Blacksmith shop has undertaken a number of challenging projects over the years. Our current Masterpiece Project involves building a Scottish Pistol inspired by one that played a role in the American Revolutionary War.  This project is to research and recreate the methods of building a Scottish all iron and steel pistol using methods accurate to the 18^th century.

Our project is inspired by the surviving pistols of British Marine Major John Pitcarn.  He is the officer that ended up commanding the troops launching the raids on Lexington and Concord.  Those are regarded as the first battles of our war for independence, and the first shot fired in anger is referred to as the “Shot heard around the world”.  That shot was attributed by some as having been fired by Maj. Pitcarn from one of these pistols. 

From a blacksmith’s perspective, this pistol presents several technical challenges.  It is a muzzle loading, black powder flintlock type.  The entire pistol, including the frame and stock, are made of iron and steel.  The whole pistol is filed until it is smooth and white, and then is thoroughly engraved in detail.

Here is an image of the engraving process:

Our project to build a Scottish-style 1740’s pistol began in the summer of 2007 and is led by Master Smiths Paul Spaulding and Robert Cerny, with able assistance from smiths Robert Manker and Travis Edgington.  They began by researching what is known about this style of pistol, making tools, and producing the major components.  The major challenges were forming the stock, forge-welding the barrel, creating the flintlock mechanism, and performing the engraving.  Future installments of this series will detail those challenges. Stay tuned for updates appearing occasionally until we have completed the Scottish pistol --lock, stock, and barrel!