17th Century Holster pistol

I was lucky enough to win this pistol at auction recently. 1680's 20 Bore, by Edmund Giffard. Giffard was one time 'Gunsmith in ordinary' to Charles II. Stock is rootwood (what wood is rootwood?) Had some repairs over the years. This is my first 17thC weapon and I love it!

Magnifique

It is well that you do love it. This is a fabulous pistol in great condition. Congratulations to you!

Rootwood is the trees root harvested or so I read somewhere.

nice looking pistol

Very nice!

That is beautiful

Commodore Swab said:

Rootwood is the trees root harvested or so I read somewhere.

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Exactly. It doesn’t refer to the type of tree, just where on the tree the wood came from.
Jay

Hi Dave

Congratulations. That horse pistol is a beauty. Wonderful patina. Used but nor abused as they say. Notice the re-soled frizzen. Pistol has likely seen a lot of action. Great piece for a collection.

Rick

Wow.... just... WOW!

Thanks everyone for your very kind comments, it's great that you've all confirmed I was right to buy this piece!

The only thing that I have seen are saddle buckets. Saddle pistols often came in pairs.

I am not one for single shots or flintlocks, but that is one strikingly beautiful combination of looks with the wood and furniture. Thank you for bringing it to us.

That said I read the wood as Rosewood, very cool to see the comment and, well, look back and amazing, never knew of such a thing and its beautiful wood for sure.

Dave Wallis said:

I was lucky enough to win this pistol at auction recently. 1680's 20 Bore, by Edmund Giffard. Giffard was one time 'Gunsmith in ordinary' to Charles II. Stock is rootwood (what wood is rootwood?) Had some repairs over the years. This is my first 17thC weapon and I love it!View attachment 323175View attachment 323176View attachment 323177View attachment 323178View attachment 323179View attachment 323180View attachment 323181View attachment 323182

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Doesn’t look like rosewood, rosewood in the 17th and 18th centuries was not a commonly used gunstock wood. The color is also not rosewood, it looks more like English or European Walnut with a curl pattern to it, possibly burl. It actually looks a lot like Turkish Walnut.

Dave Wallis said:

I was lucky enough to win this pistol at auction recently. 1680's 20 Bore, by Edmund Giffard. Giffard was one time 'Gunsmith in ordinary' to Charles II. Stock is rootwood (what wood is rootwood?) Had some repairs over the years. This is my first 17thC weapon and I love it!View attachment 323175View attachment 323176View attachment 323177View attachment 323178View attachment 323179View attachment 323180View attachment 323181View attachment 323182

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i dont shoot flintlocks but dang thats pretty. congrats. think i will stick with my caps. that is a very nice looking flintlock

FlinterNick said:

Doesn’t look like rosewood, rosewood in the 17th and 18th centuries was not a commonly used gunstock wood. The color is also not rosewood, it looks more like English or European Walnut with a curl pattern to it, possibly burl. It actually looks a lot like Turkish Walnut.

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I use patagonian rosewood for small wood projects like tool handles. That grain looks different. But I guess there are other kinds of rosewood. Either way, it is a quite fetching pistol. Wouldn't mind having a pair of them myself.

I'm guessing walnut as well. Beautiful piece.