A Pair Of Scottish 22-Bore Flintlock All-Metal Belt Pistols
By John Murdoch, Doun (sic), Mid-18th Century
With four-stage barrels engraved at the flared octagonal muzzles and with symmetrical scrolling foliage at the mid-sections, fluted breeches each with notched back-sight at the rear, border engraved flat bevelled locks each signed in capitals and decorated with foliage on the tail, cocks en suite (one expertly replaced), faceted line engraved steels, three-quarter stocks engraved with foliate line ornament and characteristic foliage, the undersides each with three foliate engraved silver lines, foliate engraved ram's horn butts with interlace inlaid with silver along the back and each with vacant oval silver escutcheon on both sides, silver button triggers and threaded prickers (one replaced) each engraved as a flower-head, slender partly fluted belt hooks each with pierced and engraved terminal, and original slender steel ramrods each with baluster tip engraved with a flower-head (some old light pitting) (2)
18.5 cm. barrels
Footnotes:
Cf. a very similar pair of pistols sold in these Rooms, Fine Antique Arms & Armour..., 23 September 2020, lot 348

Little is known of John Murdoch, however a note in the Statistical Account of Scotland, Vol. XX, 1798, p. 86 suggests that he was apprenticed to one of the Cadells and goes on to note 'The trade is now carried on by John Murdoch, also famous for his ingenuity in the craft and who has likewise furnished pistols to the first nobility of Europe. These pistols were sold from 4 to 24 guineas a pair... when Mr. Murdoch gives over business, the trade, in all probability, will become extinct'