Percussion Cap Pistol by Tatham & Egg

A striking Percussion Cap Pistol by Henry Tatham & Joseph Egg.

Tatham & Egg's parternship was very successful, commencing in 1800 and trading as Tatham & Egg until 1814.

The percussion cap, percussion primer, or caplock, introduced in the early 1800s, is a type of single-use percussion ignition device for muzzle loader firearm locks enabling them to fire reliably in any weather condition.

Duelling with pistols was made illegal in Britain in the early 19th century and despite the widely ineffective prosecution of this legislation the national mood had, for the most part moved on and lost its taste for the practice. London gunmakers understandably found this shift unsettling and sought to remedy the loss of business by promoting pistol shooting for gentlemen at targets.

Maker: Tatham & Egg
Period: 19th Century
Measurements: L27cm x H15cm (as pictured on stand)