OK, so I'm kidding, but after the last couple of threads I couldn't resist throwing up a quote I came across when looking through V. Wheeler-Holohan's "The History of the King's Messengers" (NY, 1934). On page 159 of the version preserved online (page 201, digitally), it says:

"The pair of pistols of a Messenger appointed in 1780, which bear his name on their silver-mounted butts, are fearsome-looking weapons. One is longer in the barrels than the other, and was intended to carry bullets. The second, also double-barreled, is shorter, but was intended to carry heavy shot."

http://babel.hathitrust.org/cg...218&view=1up%seq=201

I admit to always having wondered about the point of having something like Taurus' short-barreled Judge. But with a muzzleloader, I would've thought that longer barrels might leave more room for a few more shot and a bit more thorough powder burn. Still, they carried those things for a living, so maybe the guy who ordered the pistols knew what he was doing.

In case you're slightly serious, maybe one or two Kentucky Flintlock pistols?


RE: the messenger's/choices setup.

I'd bet the one loaded with shot was intended for personal defense at close range and thus needed to be at hand. So, yeah, go with small for that one: easily carried, trading size for reduced powder capacity/shot capacity/range. Didn't see a picture of their setup in the link, but I'd guess maybe even a very short barrel derringer-style?

Where accuracy or power would be called for: a heavier pistol with a longer barrel, setup with a bullet, for sure. Maybe not as big as the one I linked above, but probably needed to be accurate enough to stop someone running away with stolen diplomatic papers.

the pretty one like Joel posted were made for show, and protection,

the better to carry, were the military type, that had a strap around the pistol grip, and a cap on the bottom,

with experience you can reload them fairly quickly, but you may also have to swap ends,
as in grab it by the barrel and use the pistol grip like a hammer, and do and old fashioned beat down with it,

quote:

In case you're slightly serious, maybe one or two Kentucky Flintlock pistols?

See, I like the whole "double barrel" thing when you're out in the middle of nowhere. I suppose one could argue that carrying multiple single-shot pistols is like carrying multiple magazines in order to ensure that you always have one that works, but with all the traveling those guys actually did anything that saved weight might well have mattered.

As for the beat down, that's why the butts were (tastefully, of course) silver-mounted.

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
As for the beat down, that's why the butts were (tastefully, of course) silver-mounted.

Well, lemme axe you a question: Have you considered that there might be an even better option?

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:

quote:

Originally posted by Il Cattivo:
As for the beat down, that's why the butts were (tastefully, of course) silver-mounted.

Well, lemme axe you a question: Have you considered that there might be an even better option?

like it!!


recently sold an original coach gun,

flint lock blunderbuss type, with a flip over spike bayonet attached,


neat piece of history

Yes, yes, but would it alter the point of impact?

(Yes, I can see that it's permanently mounted.)

Can I just be Daniel Day Lewis from Last of the Mohicans??

I'd skip the pistol and just get a blunderbuss. You only get one shot so might as well load it with nails, glass and lead pellets

quote:

Originally posted by kaschi:
You only get one shot

You only get one shot per pistol... So carry more pistols.