Transitional Percussion Revolver

A very fine example with a chequered walnut stock and silver initialled escutcheon plate. The top flat of the barrel is stamped J. D. Dougall Glasgow. There are nicely engraved sections behind the chamber, the hammer likewise and a small compartment in the base for percussion caps. The pistol is 54-Bore Six Shot with an overall length of 35cm (12.5 inches) and a barrel length of 16 cm (6.75 inches). It weighs 0.925 Kg

The piece is in fine condition with minimal pitting, the grips are tidy and complete, the nipples are decent. It indexes well but needs a little encouragement.

There were six gunmakers in the Dougall family. They were: John Dougall; J. D. Dougall Sr.; and J.D. Dougall’s sons; John Dougall, J. D. Dougall Jr., and Norman Dougall. J. D. Sr. being the inventor of the Lockfast. By 1857, they were a well-established as gunmaker of percussion guns and were changing over to manufacturing breechloaders. The 1857 date pre-dates the Lockfast patent by three years. The type of breech-loading action that Dougall was using at this early date is unknown. However, Dougall was an early proponent of the pinfire.

By 1863, Dougall’s business was successful enough to open a second location at 59 James’s Street, London which remained open until 1883.