Stacey's Auctioneers & Valuers
Lot 2579
An exceptional pair of cased Precussion Officers Pistols by Ross of Edinburgh, provenance owned by the late Admiral George Hathorn. A very fine cased pair of percussion Officer's pistols by Ross of Edinburgh, 7.75inch sighted octagonal browned damascus barrels engraved Ross Edinburgh in Gothic script, scroll engraved case colour hardened breeches with platinum plugs, border and scroll engraved case colour hardened stepped and bolted locks signed Ross, three-quarters stocked with blued steel mounts including spur trigger guards engraved with the serial no. 173, shield shaped white metal escutcheons engraved with owner's initials G.H., swivel ramrods, contained in their brass bound oak case, the lid with flush fitting carrying handle and circular escutcheon engraved George Hathorn Esq, sliding catches, the green baize lined interior with commensurate accessories to include red leather wrapped three-way powder flask. The pistols retain all of their browned finish to the barrels, all of the varnish to the stocks, all of the case colour hardening to the locks and breeches and virtually all of the blueing to the trigger guards. We would like to thank Clare County Library for providing the image of Admiral George Hathorn and granting permission to use it. Possibly Admiral George Hathorn, the following extract taken from The Naval Biographical Dictionary. George Hathorn, born 17 Nov. 1803, is son of Geo. Hathorn, Esq., of Brunswick Square, London, and is of the family of Hathorn, of Castle Wigg, co. Wigtoun, N.B. He is brother-in-law of Commander Matt. Dixon, R.N. This officer entered the Navy, 9 Aug. 1817, on board the Active 46, Capt. Sir Jas. Alex. Gordon; passed his examination in 1824; obtained his first commission 30 April, 1827; and was afterwards appointed, 22 Jan. 1829, and 25 Nov. 1833, to the Vanguard 76, Capts. Wm. Henry Shirreff, Sam. Burgess, and Chas. Talbot, and Canopus 84, Capt. Hon. Josceline Percy, on the South American and Mediterranean stations. Having officiated for a considerable time as First-Lieutenant of those ships, he was advanced, 10 Jan. 1837, to the rank of Commander; and, on 9 April, 1839, he was nominated Second-Captain of the Benbow 72, Capt. Houston Stewart; his services in which ship on the coast of Syria and at the bombardment of St. Jean d'Acre procured him a Post-commission dated 4 Nov. 1840. He has since been on half-pay.
