Author Topic: How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?  (Read 3419 times)

Offline Rolf

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How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?
« on: August 23, 2010, 10:37:15 AM »
Has anybody seen an orginal cased pair of left and right hand pistols? Beck madde a pair of left and right hand pistols. How were they cased? Pictures would be a great help.

Best regards

Rolfkt
« Last Edit: August 23, 2010, 10:42:31 AM by Rolfkt »

Offline flintriflesmith

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Re: How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?
« Reply #1 on: August 26, 2010, 11:30:31 PM »
I would like to know more about this pair of right and left hand pistols. All the pairs I have ever seen were both "right handed" in that the locks were mounted on the right.
Was the pair you mentioned made from locks salvaged off a double barrel?

Gary
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Offline Jim Kibler

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Re: How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?
« Reply #2 on: August 27, 2010, 01:12:54 AM »
Rolfkt,

What makes you believe the Beck pistols were originally cased?

Jim

Offline Rolf

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Re: How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?
« Reply #3 on: August 27, 2010, 11:18:33 PM »
Gary, the little I know of these pistols comes from these sources:

"the Gunsmith of Grenville County by P.A.Alexander. he writes about these pistols on page 347. There is pictures of the left hand pistol on page 346. According to Alexander the Right hand and lefthand pistol were mirror images. That even includes Becks signature which was in mirror-image on the left hand pistol. Vince Nolte, who own the EagleMuseum is said to have discovered the Right hand pistol.

"Thoughts on the American flintlock pistol"by S.E.Dyke. You will find the Right hand pistol on page 28. dyke thinks the pistols were made for Robert Coleman, an early Lancaster County iron master and one of the wealthiest men in the Colonies.

Jim,I have not seen any mention of a case. I just assumed that such a beautiful pair of pistols were cased.

Please, anyone has anymore information, I'd be grateful to read it.

Best regards
Rolfkt

Offline smart dog

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Re: How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2010, 06:17:18 AM »
Hi Rolf,
As I mentioned in your other post about this, Beck may not have cased the pistols.  He was a rural Pennsylvania gunsmith and as such he may not have had ready access to cabinet, case, and accoutrement makers as the Europeans and urban Americans did.  That said, your beautiful pistols deserve a fine case but why not consider how an 18th century gunmaker might have handled your pistols and build a vertical case.  I will gladly send you what few photos I have of such cases.  I think the format would be wonderful and give you the chance to explore high quality cabinetry.  Take it from me Rolf, it is fun!!!  I realize such a case would not showcase the pistols but cases were for travel not display.  Think of the possibilities of using a beautiful figured North American wood available to J. P Beck like cherry, oak, or maple.  Then have an upper tray above the pistols with a small horn powder flask, bullet mold, flint whisk, and brass oil bottle, all made by hand.  It would be so different than the norm and so wonderful.  If I had your pistols in hand I would build it for you and enjoy every minute.

dave 
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Offline Rolf

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Re: How did they case a pair of left and right hand pistols?
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2010, 02:21:21 PM »
Dave, I'd love to see pictures of these cases.  Gun laws in Norway require that all guns are stored in a gunsafe. This put limits on the case size. This might be a good option. I had planed making a flat silver bison powderhorn to go with the pistols. Would that fit in the type of case you describe?

Best regards
Rolfkt