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MAKER MARKED “KETLAND & CO.” FLINTLOCK TRADE
PISTOL – A SCARCE IRON BARRELED SPECIMEN – EXCELLENT
CONDITION:
Ketland & Company was one
of several English makers who produced this style of
pistol, initially during the flintlock period and later
to some degree in the early percussion era. A large
number of those pistols made originally with a flintlock
were converted to percussion, so finding one of
Ketland’s pistols in the original flint is always an
added value. Further setting this pistol apart is that
it is mounted with an iron barrel as from the surviving
specimens, the majority of their production of this
style of pistol – and those of this pattern made by
other makers such as Sharpe – were made with brass
barrels. The early English proof stamps on this barrel,
pre-dating 1813, may indicate that the iron barrel was a
characteristic of an early production pistol.
This pattern has been traced to a contract with the
British government let out after the American Revolution
to produce a sturdy pistol for the Board of Ordnance for
issue or trade to the Indians allied with the British
interests in North America. While some of these pistols
were supplied to the British government and used for
that purpose, this pattern probably existed before the
contract and it was a pistol which was also produced for
the commercial market which included sales to military
officers, private citizens, and to the fur trade
companies operating on the edges of the North American
frontier and on both sides of the United States –
Canadian border.
The Ketland family of gun makers spanned an eighty-five
year period, believed as early as 1715 through 1830.
The family patriarch, Thomas, was established in
Birmingham and likely in London as well, as early as the
mid-1700’s. As sited in Gordon’s Great Gun Makers
For the Early West, the Ketlands were noted for
making locks – “particularly for the American trade
during the last decade of the 18TH Century
through the 1820’s”. Gordon cites Moller who stated the
Ketlands were the largest single importer of muskets and
components for the New England militia. In 1789, Thomas
and his two sons, John and Thomas, Jr. established their
gun business in the U.S. capital of Philadelphia to take
advantage of the demand for firearms in North America.
After several years, the father returned to England, and
John died in 1799, however Thomas Jr. continued the
business in Philadelphia until his return to England in
1815. While in Philadelphia, the Ketlands imported
large quantities of finished guns as well as parts, and
their firearms were definitely in the hands of
frontiersmen, militiamen, and Native Americans
throughout the growing nation and the expanding
frontier.
Measuring 13” in overall length, this pistol is mounted
with a 7 ¾” long .72 caliber smooth bore iron barrel.
The barrel finished with a breech plug with an engraved
tang, and the barrel is full form with no misshaping or
damage on the outer surface. The barrel bears the two
English Birmingham Proof Stamps used by private
contractors prior to 1813, and the top of the barrel is
stamped “LONDON”. There is no pitting on the outer
surface and the barrel retains an even patina which has
not been overly cleaned or polished. The bore has light
pitting throughout, and would probably polish up with a
minimum of effort if you choose to do so.
The lock plate is maker marked “KETLAND & Co
”. The lock is fully functional, the hammer holds at
both the half and full cock positions and the trigger
let off is very crisp.
The stock is full form with no loss along the barrel
channel, and no breaks or missing wood along the
channel. There is a very short age check at the bottom
front edge of the lock mortise, however the wood is
stable and it shows no indicating of enlarging or
causing a break. The surface of the wood shows the
expected handling marks, but no significant dents and
the original finish is still intact over the majority of
the surface. There is a sliver of wood missing from
above the rear upper edge of the lock plate - happened
long ago, and all of the remaining edges of this area
are worn smooth.
The butt cap, oval escutcheon on the top of the wrist,
trigger guard, side plate, and ramrod thimbles are all
made of brass. The front finial of the trigger guard is
finished in the shape of an arrowhead with nicely
engraved details, and there are engraved highlights on
the butt cap, escutcheon, and trigger guard bow. The
side plate is a “skeleton” pattern and was an indication
of quality due to the extra effort to inlet the internal
edges. The ramrod is fitted with a bone tip showing
nice patina coloring and the rod appears to be original
to the pistol.
This is a very attractive, early manufacture Ketland
Trade Pistol, which while showing evidence of use, has
survived in excellent condition and it would be a
special addition to a collection focused on the Western
frontier. (0720) $2,500
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