From Fishing Tackle to Firearms: J.D. Dougall Pair of Percussion Muzzleloading Pistols

J.D. Dougall didn't let his career of being a fishing tackle maker get in the way of his big ideas when it came to firearms innovation. Dougall went on to develop the "Lockfast" action in 1862. Its success at the world's fair allowed him to open a second shop to build his innovative firearms. While the "lockfast" action was a breech-loading action addressing the weaknesses of other actions of the time, Dougall's shop continued to produce muzzleloaders for some time.

James D. Dougall was established in Glasgow as fishing tackle maker and transitioned over to gunmaking and had a shop in London in 1863 after introducing his Lockfast action the year prior at the World's Fair in London. These large bore pistols featured especially fine and dense scroll engraving that even extends onto the breech end of the barrel. The smoothbore Damascus barrels have bead style front sights and are signed "J.D. DOUGALL. 59 ST. JAMES'S STREET LONDON" and marked with London proofs. There are no rear sights.

The breech plugs have pierced platinum plugs. The locks are signed "J.D. DOUGALL." in banners. The half-length stocks have horn forend caps, blank gold wrist escutcheons, checkered wrists with attractive borders, and compartments in the pommels. The case has a J.D. Dougall trade label referencing the "Lockfast Breechloading Gun & Rifle" and also contains an assortment of loading and maintenance accoutrements, including rods, rod attachments, a patch cutter, screwdriver, nipple wrench, James Dixon & Sons flask, turned container with two spare nipples, an oiler, and cap tin.