A highland scots pistol ???

[puffer]

JAMIE, I am glad that you are enjoying this thread ( & the companion ome). I hope others are also ( I know I AM)

Your comment on the HSP is IMO RIGHT ON.
Here is a pic to refer to in response to 1 of your comments & 2 ??


"cleaning tool". Actually this was a "pick" used to clean the "touch hole" ( mighty ingenious, if you ask me.

The Ball trigger I really do no know.
No Trigger guard - several, take you pick IMHO, nothing in the way, in the heat of battle, to finding the trigger.

Now the ?? of accuracy.
There were to basic types of smooth bores.
1. " combat pistols " like the HSP
2. Dueling pistols.

The HSP was made, not for accuracy, but for close up "carnage"
a. range under 15 yds
b. Large cal. ( .60 cal or larger ( appox 5/8" in diam.))
c. Accuracy- if you can hit a 10" paper plate, you've done your job.

In comparison,here is what a dueling pistol ( smooth bore ) can do, ( I shot this resently @ a smooth bore match. ( BTW, I LOST) the group measures just under 6"


Now as to accurcy, lets compare them to what a good Rifled pistol can do. This target was shot the same day, when we played "ACES" for int: ( I did not win, BUT I did not BUY )


PLEASE NOTE< I POSTED THIS NOT SHOW MY "PROWNESS"< BUT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF THE RELATIVE ACCURCY
Humbl Puffer

[BoldHighlander]

What is the practrical purpose of the ball trigger and lack of trigger guard?

Cheers

Jamie

Interesting question Jamie, I had never really given it any thought before now

I pulled out my copy of 'SONS OF THE MOUNTAINS' volume II to see what Ian M. McCulloch wrote on the subject regarding F&I War era Highlanders armed with said weapon. Nothing in regards to the ball trigger, but did note this of interest regarding the quality of some issued pistols:

"...but when the 77th & 78th regiments were raised, pistols were issued by the government...

....The 60 pistols above the total for other ranks were to be distributed to the sergeants and corporals if they so wished. These mass-produced factory pistols were of poor quality and vastly inferior to those made for private use. Many of the men, and all of the officers carried their own personal pistols, handcrafted and sometimes inlaid with silver and gold.

....When the Additional Companies of the 77th arrived in Pennsylvania from Scotland, in the spring of 1758, Colonel Henry Bouquet informed General Forbes that the Highland recruits were equipped with "300 bad pistols" which, given Colonel Montgomery's agreement, he could give away as presents "as they would suit the Indians very Well."

I didn't really see much about them in 'HIGHLANDER: Fearless Celtic Warrior" by Stuart Reid.

[Nighthawk]

Nice shooting, Puffer! I hate pistols. Even modern ones aren't especially accurate.

[O'Callaghan]

Most rifle guys hate pistols. I prefer them. I have eyesight problems (left eye dominant but right-handed) that ensure I will never be a good rifle shot, but I get my own back when rifle types try to shoot a pistol and can't hit anything!

[puffer]

Interesting question Jamie, I had never really given it any thought before now

I pulled out my copy of 'SONS OF THE MOUNTAINS' volume II to see what Ian M. McCulloch wrote on the subject regarding F&I War era Highlanders armed with said weapon. Nothing in regards to the ball trigger, but did note this of interest regarding the quality of some issued pistols:

"...but when the 77th & 78th regiments were raised, pistols were issued by the government...

....The 60 pistols above the total for other ranks were to be distributed to the sergeants and corporals if they so wished. These mass-produced factory pistols were of poor quality and vastly inferior to those made for private use. Many of the men, and all of the officers carried their own personal pistols, handcrafted and sometimes inlaid with silver and gold.

....When the Additional Companies of the 77th arrived in Pennsylvania from Scotland, in the spring of 1758, Colonel Henry Bouquet informed General Forbes that the Highland recruits were equipped with "300 bad pistols" which, given Colonel Montgomery's agreement, he could give away as presents "as they would suit the Indians very Well."

I didn't really see much about them in 'HIGHLANDER: Fearless Celtic Warrior" by Stuart Reid.

Great info.

Quality control, on these pistols ( made most often in BIRMINGHAM,) was not always "to standard" ( see De Witt Bailey- British Board of Ordance - Small arms Contractors - 1689-1840) While the main makers, such as John Waters, made them to "standard" there were some who did not.

Kelven has a GREAT section on "Military Pistols" pg.128-134) It is his opinon that These pistols ( military") have goten a bad rep. because they were basicaly plain & unitarian. They had a function to fullfull & they, in his opinion, VERY WELL.

Puffer

[haxtonhouse]

Great info, I am a black powder enthusiast too. I prefer the smoothbore musket and a tomahawk, though I do enjoy touching off my pistol too. Thanks to all who cotribute, I am enjoying this thread.

[puffer]

Great info, I am a black powder enthusiast too. I prefer the smoothbore musket and a tomahawk, though I do enjoy touching off my pistol too. Thanks to all who cotribute, I am enjoying this thread.

Still shooting that beautiful North Star.65 cal British Officer's Fusil ??

BYW, expect a PM

PUFFER (TMA)

[puffer]

Interesting question Jamie, I had never really given it any thought before now

I pulled out my copy of 'SONS OF THE MOUNTAINS' volume II to see what Ian M. McCulloch wrote on the subject regarding F&I War era Highlanders armed with said weapon. Nothing in regards to the ball trigger, but did note this of interest regarding the quality of some issued pistols:

"...but when the 77th & 78th regiments were raised, pistols were issued by the government...

....The 60 pistols above the total for other ranks were to be distributed to the sergeants and corporals if they so wished. These mass-produced factory pistols were of poor quality and vastly inferior to those made for private use. Many of the men, and all of the officers carried their own personal pistols, handcrafted and sometimes inlaid with silver and gold.

....When the Additional Companies of the 77th arrived in Pennsylvania from Scotland, in the spring of 1758, Colonel Henry Bouquet informed General Forbes that the Highland recruits were equipped with "300 bad pistols" which, given Colonel Montgomery's agreement, he could give away as presents "as they would suit the Indians very Well."

I didn't really see much about them in 'HIGHLANDER: Fearless Celtic Warrior" by Stuart Reid.

GREAT

This gives me an IDEA

I do not know if any of you are interested, but I am going to start another "Highland Pistol thread

Puffer

[Panache]

Puffer,

Thanks for the explanation and illustration.

Carry on gents

Cheers

Jamie