Quote Originally Posted by Woodsheal View Post
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http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/NEWpistol.shtml

Getting back to Puffer's point, I think the portrait artist simply was inexpert in rendering the pistol in its proper configuration and proportions, but that what is depicted is in fact a typical Doune-style Scots 'dag' of the early 1700's.

Many painters of that period (and most others) were simply not experts on weaponry, and you often see oddly distorted guns and swords depicted. Then again, many are painted with precise exactness! It varies from artist to artist....
Good insight

Puffer