Antique Pistol Info

[wr.sainsbury]

Have a pair of Blair & Southerlands percussion Travelers pistols with the attached escutcheons. Upon close examination these pistols were originally flinters. Attributed to the Earl of Cromartie??? per verbal history. Anyone have a better idea on provenance. This crest does not seem to match any research I have been able to do. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[wr.sainsbury]

A close friend enlarged the photo and traced out "Adversa Virtute Repello" which has the latin translation "I Repel Adversity By Valor" so not a family crest but probably a presentation set to honor circumstance. Would love more history on these!

 

[Stephen Nash]

According to Fairbairn's Book Of Crests Of The Families Of Great Britain And Ireland, 4th Ed., London (1905), it is indeed a family crest incorporating a motto. The motto, "Adversa virtute repello" together with the crest, a dexter hand holding an antique shield sable (black), charged with a star or (gold), is for the family name Denistoun or Dennistoun (alternate spellings). I hope this helps you with your research!

 

[wr.sainsbury]

WOW! Thanks so much- a whole new direction.

 

[Stephen Nash]

You may already have this information, but I couldn't resist doing a bit of digging. (side-effect of self-isolation)

The makers you refer to are David Blair & Richard and/or Ramsay Sutherlands of Brooke St., St Pauls, Birmingham. They were contractors to the Board of Ordnance from 1799 to 1811, and they also had a London address at 54 Minories, in 1803.

The firm became Blair & Little at some time between 1811 and 1813, and remained Gunmakers to the Board of Ordnance until 1818.

Your pistols pre-date the percussion era, and definitely started out as flintlocks.

It would be great to see pictures of your pistols!

 

[wr.sainsbury]

Many thanks for the additional info - did have most of it except for continuation of the firm.

 

[Stephen Nash]

Fantastic. With those set triggers (if I'm not mistaken), I think they are more than just traveller's pistols.

 

[Ashcroft]

That's a very nice pair.......of guns. So many pairs were separated over the years, it's nice to see these ones still together in their old age.

 

[wr.sainsbury]

They are set triggers and they are smooth bore so could be duellers however they have a rear sight which duellers should not have. Barrel length also takes them out of usual dueller format. A very nice set and I'm glad to have them. Thanks again for the info which enlarges my research.