Bit of a mystery object. Which of these five objects is 'odd man out' ? And why? They were all made at much the same date (within a thirty year period probably).
Please give dates, nationalities, and what they are. Never feel shy about stating the obvious.
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Four flintlock pistols around a central pewter toy or snuff-box
Top English
Bottom Scottish
Left Portuguese
Right French
Having made dubious and risky guesses as to nationality I will leave the issue of dating to wiser and better judges of such matters. A very satisfying collation.
Well done, Crowbard. The central 'pistol' is, in fact, a pewter snuff box, in the shape of a double barrelled flintlock pistol. All the items were made about fifteen years either side of the year 18OO. The top and bottom pistols are English; the left and right pistols are both probably French. The bottom pistol was probably made as a lady's 'muff pistol'.
The lower pistol was probably made for a boy (of about seven or eight), the butt is uncomfortably small for an adult. The barrel screws off, and is quite heavily rifled, so it would have been quite an accurate weapon for its date. The top pistol has a very well made 'rain proof' pan, so would presumably have been reliable in most weather conditions.
If you look at the blog entry for Friday 3rd May, I've inserted another photo of the pewter, pistol shaped snuff box; this time with the snuff box lying on its back with the lid of the box wide open. I hope this clarifies the purpose of the box.
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