Flintlock Repeating Pistol with Lorenzoni Action, Bearing the Crests of Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson (1758–1805), with Case and Accessories
ca. 1798–99
Medium
Pistol: steel, wood (walnut), silver; reserve barrel: steel; bullet mould: steel; punch; steel; wrench: steel; case: wood (mahogany), brass, textile, paper
Dimensions
Pistol (a): L. 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm); L. of barrel 6 in. (15.2 cm); Cal. .55 in. (14 mm); Wt. 3 lb. 15 oz. (1786 g); reserve barrel (b): L. 6 1/8 in. (15.6 cm); Wt. 14.4 oz. (408.2 g); bullet mould (c): L. 5 3/8 in. (13.7 cm); Wt. 2.6 oz. (73.7 g); punch (d): L. 5 1/2 in. (14 cm); Wt. 4.4 oz. (124.7 g); wrench (e): L. 3 3/4 in. (9.5 cm); Wt. 1.6 oz. (45.4 g); case (f): H. 4 1/8 in. (10.5 cm); W. 15 9/16 in. (39.5 cm); D. 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); Wt. 6 lb. 7.2 oz. (2925.7 g)
Classification
Firearms-Pistols-Flintlock
Culture
British, London
Department
Arms and Armor
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Charles N. Daly, 1934
Accession Number
35.81.3a–f
Art Historical Context
This exquisite flintlock repeating pistol, crafted by the renowned London gunsmith Harveylate Mortimer around 1798–99, bears the heraldic crests of Vice Horatio Nelson, Britain's legendary naval hero. Produced during the height of the Napoleonic Wars it exemplifies the pinnacle of British firearms artistry, blending lethal functionality with opulent decoration. The pistol's association with Nelson—who triumphed at the Battle of the Nile and later Trafalgar—elevates it from mere weapon to a tangible link to one of history's greatest admirals, evoking the swashbuckling drama of 18th-century sea ...