2 Flintlock Pistols, Gen. Jackson, Ambrister and Arbuthnot history

Two (2) European flintlock pistols, history of ownership in the family of President Andrew Jackson, who is said to have seized the guns from Robert Christie Ambrister (1797-1818) and Alexander (George) Arbuthnot (1748-1818) during the First Seminole War. The two British citizens were captured and charged with aiding the Seminole and Creek Indians against the United States, and executed by then-General Jackson near what is still known today as Court Martial Lake, Florida. The "Ambrister and Arbuthnot Incident" triggered a Congressional investigation, the findings of which were critical of Jackson's actions, but did not result in censure. Lot is accompanied by a 1954 sworn affadavit from the pistols' late owner, Stanley Horn of Nashville, stating that according to Donelson family tradition, the firearms were given by Jackson to his friend and aide, General John Coffee, who later gifted the pistols to Jackson's adopted son, Major Andrew Jackson Donelson. Major Donelson bequeathed them to his son, William Donelson, who sold them to a Nashville bookseller, Paul Hunter, who in turn sold them to Mr. Horn; they have descended in the family of Stanley Horn to the present consignor. Lot also includes two framed Kellogg prints of Jackson. 1st item: 62 cal. holster flintlock pistol with scimitar inlay. 19" overall, 11 3/4" smooth bore barrel. Brass furniture including trigger guard with repair, escutcheon plate, front blade, and sight thimble. Repousse of scimitar on right side of stock. Flintlock ignition is unaltered. Barrel has minimal decoration at breech with foliate outline, spine on top of barrel has engraving extending from breech to front sight. Front band is missing, has period repair with brass wire. The stock has carved design from front to rear. Stock is missing 4 1/2" splinter, and 1/8" just beneath the barrel. Escutcheon plate is plain and crude, possibly a period replacement. The lock appears functional, and the striker plate is grooved. Period decoration on the butt and crude inlay on the bottom. The ramrod is period and possibly original. The action only goes to half cock. 2nd item: 65 cal. Holster flintlock pistol. 18 1/2" overall, 12" smooth bore barrel. Brass furniture including front band, ramrod thimble, trigger guard, pierced escutcheon plate, pierced decorative inlay in rear, and brass butt plate. Wood broken in front of lock with period repair using a brass sheet and tacks. Light engraving on the trigger guard, escutcheon plate, back of stock, and there appears to be light engraving on ramrod thimble. Linear design on band that attaches barrel to stock. Tang and breech have engraved decoration, foliate engraving with deep impressed cartouche at breech of barrel. Trigger guard with light engraving to hammer and lock plate with matching engraving. 3" from breech has what appear to be a maker's mark. The striker plate has been replaced with a plate attached with two iron brads. Action goes to full and half cock. Does not appear to have been cleaned. Has minimal carving to stock. 3rd item: Framed affadavit with black and white photographs of the guns in this lot, signed by Stanley Horn and notarized, matted and framed (16" x 13" overall). 4th item: Lithograph, Silhouette of Andrew Jackson, Taken From Life, by Wm. H. Brown. Printed by E.B. & E.C.Kellogg. 16" H x 12" W sight, 17 1/2" H x 13 1/2" W in narrow black wood frame. Condition: Toning. 5th item: Lithograph, Gen. Andrew Jackson the Hero of New Orleans, printed by E.B. & E.C. Kellogg, 16 3/4" x 10" sight, in period veneered wooden frame, 22" x 15 1/2". Condition: heavy toning, 1" tear at top margin, losses to frame. Provenance: the estate of Stanley Horn, Nashville, Tennessee, by descent in his family to current consignor. CONDITION: See item description.