free entry to all museums
The Heritage Lottery Fund has contributed to the Riverside Museum Project
Historic Scotland has contributed to the Kelvingrove Refurbishment
Scottish Natural Heritage has contributed to the Kelvingrove Refurbishment
European Regional Development Fund has contributed to the Kelvingrove Refurbishment
Glasgow Museums » Exhibitions » Arms and Armour at Glasgow Museums »Arms and Armour at Glasgow Museums
Arms and Armour at Glasgow Museums
Pair of snaphance-lock pistols, Scottish (Dundee), circa 1624–6. CE Whitelaw bequest.
No: E.1940.45.h&i.
The extremely distinctive pistols made in Scotland during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries were characterised by their all-metal construction, lack of trigger-guards, and often elaborate 'Highland' decoration.
This very rare pair of early Scottish pistols are made entirely of brass. They feature a Scottish version of the 'snaphance' lock, which was the precursor to the true flintlock.
The snaphance mechanism involves the steel and pan cover being made as separate pieces. When pulled back, the cock is held by a catch (or 'sear') that protrudes through the lock-plate and engages with a little tail that projects from the lower edge of the cock.
The barrels are elaborately shaped at the muzzles, which are of a very small calibre. The ornate engraved decoration that covers most surfaces of these pistols is also striking.
This 'lock, stock, and barrel' ornamentation features rosettes, foliate scrollwork, and key-pattern borders reminiscent of late Celtic design. The lock-plate is marked 'IL' which may be the initials of a member of the Low family of Dundee.
You can see a detail image of one of the pistols in the next slide.
Coyright Culture and Sport Glasgow (Museums). To find out how to order a copy of this or any other image, please email: Glasgow Museums Photo Library
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 »
