Modifying a commercial Murdoch Scottish steel pistol

[Prairie Banditti]

Here is an updated pix...the flat brass stock will eventually be turned into a belt hook - I'm going to shallow score a line @ the bend(s), anneal it to soften it up, then bend it on a bench vise and file it down into the finished form. The trigger and pick balls were 7/8" threaded brass that I'm filing down. The brass ramrod will be more decorative than functional. The next major challenge/obstacle is extending the steel frame towards the front below the barrel - you can see the piece of mild steel that I have been filing down to the right of the zip-tie holding the barrel down - it will have to be brazed/welded on somehow, and that is beyond my ken...

 

[Commodore Swab]

A couple comments . . .
The originals I have seen that are brass employ a brass stock but steel barrel/lock/vent etc. It would seem what you are doing is reversed. I am most curious about your trigger adaptation as TRS trigger works to engage the sear pulling backward as your piece involves a more "traditional" lock with sear and tumbler. Also the original sear comes thru the top of the stock where it is screwed and pinned rather than being held in place.

 

[Auldjin]

I thought it might be of interest to compare the mixed metal pistols with an all-steel one from 1759.

 

[Prairie Banditti]

Gents, sorry for my delay in responding...
Nice pix, Auldjin, and in reply to Commodore Swab, there are example of the steel frame with brass barrels...the one I am using as my "template" is the Boswell pistol @ Malahide Castle in Dublin (if you have, or can access page 70 of "The Swords and the Sorrows", you will be able to view it - I'd be happy to post a pic from the book if anyone is interested). As for the internal sear unique to the original Scottish pistols, mine is just a cheapie Pakistani knock-off I purchased from Dixie Gun Works...however, if I'm not mistaken, I think that the "Rifle Shoppe" carries the Scottish ramshorn pistol kit with the true horizontal sear. As for fabricating the ball trigger and belt hook out of brass, it's just a choice I made to balance out the overall look using both steel and brass that may, or may not look good when finished.
I am hoping to post some updated pix that will show the progress of my modification project as soon as I can find time to meet with a local blacksmith who will provide the professional expertise in brazing the mild steel extension to the front of the stock.