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LOT 1218
Historic Documented British Long Sea Service
Flintlock Pistol Inscribed as Owned by
Notorious Traitor Benedict Arnold - NSN, 57 cal.,
12 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This
pistol is a fairly early version of the iconic British
Long Sea Service pistols produced in the mid-18th
century with a non-bridled lock. The later versions
we see more often feature bridled pans, reinforced
necks on the cocks, and simpler lock engraving.
The lock has the engraved Georgian cipher at the
center, a “crown/broad arrow” marked below the
rounded priming pan, “TOWER” inscribed on the
tail, and “BW” and a “crown/I” marking on the inside.
The smoothbore barrel has “WC” on the left at the
breech, “Kings” proofs on top, and “6” above the vent
on the right. The stock has the distinctive raised
“plateau” around the upper tang and is fitted with
brass furniture and an iron belt hook. The flat side
plate is inscribed “OWNED BY BENEDICT ARNOLD
AT THE TIME OF HIS TREASON 1780/2. DR. AMBROSE
LAWRENCE BOSTON/3. A.J. WOODBURY DENVER”.
This inscription dates to around the early 20th
century.
The pistol’s history is recorded in multiple
newspaper articles. It is discussed in the article “A
Reminder of Benedict Arnold” published in multiple
newspapers in late August 1882, originating from
the “Boston Transcript.” The article states: “Dr.
Ambrose Lawrence, of this city, had in his possession
a horse pistol well authenticated as one of a pair
owned by Benedict Arnold, the traitor, during his
service in the British army upon his disgraceful
retirement from the Revolutionary cause. After the
war, it will be recalled, Arnold retired to St. John,
N.B., where he engaged in trade.
The house in which he lived stood on the corner of
King and Canterbury streets in that city. During his
absence in England, where he died, this dwelling
was torn down and rebuilt of brick, and has since
been burned and again rebuilt. Then it was that
this warlike relic of its owner was secured, and
having since been in the possession of well-known
parties, who indorse its history, recently passed into
the hands of the above-named gentleman, who
exhibited it in this office. The weapon is of the larger
pattern, though comparatively light, the customary
flint locks and brass mountings. This style of arm
was usually carried in pairs, but the mate to this
one has either been lost or been secured by other
parties, who doubtless prize it as does Dr. Lawrence
his trophy.” Dr. Ambrose Lawrence (1816-1893) was
a noteworthy dentist in the Boston area throughout
much of the 19th century, invented Lawrence’s
amalgam for filling tooth cavities in 1873, and was
also active in local political and civic life, including
as the mayor of Lowell in 1855.
The pistol appears again in the “The Los Angeles
Record’s” editorial page in an article about A.J.
Woodbury’s collection. Here it and smaller French
pistols are misidentified as dueling pistols. In the
article, Woodbury indicates he had been a friend of
Lawrence’s and the latter had found the pistol after
going to Halifax and later gave it to him. The pistol
was later shown again, this time in the hands of
Ruth Harvey in “The News” in Los Angeles on August
21, 1920, under the headline “Benedict Arnold’s
flintlock pistol on auction list here” and noted as
previously owned by Dr. Ambrose Lawrence of
Boston and A.J. Woodbury of Denver as noted in the
inscription on the side plate and was identified as
being sold by auctioneer Charles A. Kemp.
BENEDICT ARNOLD
Died, Lately in England, Brigadier Gen.
the notorious traitor, who strove to betray
General Washington, and the American army,
at West Point, in the year 1780.
Wednesday, August 19, 1801
Pennsylvania Republican