Page 223 - 4093-BOOK2

LOT 1231
Historic Pair of Henry Tatham Flintlock Officer’s Pistols with Case Inscribed to “Captain Daniel
Tyler”, a Hero of the American Revolution and the Battle of Bunker Hill -A) Tatham Flintlock
Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 8 1/2 inch flat top round bbl., brown/casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock. These
c. 1800 officer’s pistols feature smoothbore, Damascus barrels with blade front and notch rear sights,
gold vent liners, and bands of engraving at the breeches. The standing breeches have British patriotic
and floral engraving. The locks are signed “TATHAM” for Henry Tatham (1770-1835) and have large
frizzen spring rollers, lined borders, floral and British classical martial engraving, burst patterns, half-
cock safeties, and stepped tails. The iron furniture features coordinating martial and floral engraving,
and the stocks have checkered wrists and “DT” inscribed silver escutcheons for Daniel Tyler. Similar
pistols were made by Tatham & Egg (Henry Tatham and Joseph Egg) c. 1801-1814. The pair comes in a
fitted case with a 17 bore ball mold, oiler, flints, later G. & J.W. Hawksley combination flask, loading and
cleaning rod, balls, and a screwdriver. The handle on the lid is inscribed “Captain Daniel Tyler Pomfret
1778”. Captain Daniel Tyler III (1750-1832) of Brooklyn, Connecticut, graduated from Harvard in 1771
and was married that year in Pomfret, Connecticut, to Mehitable Putnam (1749-1789), daughter of
Israel Putnam (1718-1790), a veteran of the French & Indian War and a major general in the American
Revolution. He endorsed a copy of the alarm for the Committee of Correspondence following the
Battle of Lexington and served as the adjutant of Putnam’s Connecticut Regiment during the war and
served under Putnam at the Siege of Boston, including the famous Battle of Bunker Hill where Putnam
reportedly gave the famous order to hold their fire until they could see the whites of the British soldiers’
eyes. His own father also fought in the battle as the lieutenant colonel of the 6th Massachusetts. Tyler
later helped raise and fund a company of mantrosses in 1778 and served as their captain. That year they
were directed to deliver baggage and ammunition to New London. They were sent to Newport, Rhode
Island, in 1780 to help fend off another British threat. Given the pistols date to well after the American
Revolution but during Tyler’s lifetime, they would have been presented to Captain Tyler in recognition
for raising, funding, and leading the company from Pomfret in 1778. This pair of pistols presented to
a veteran of the American Revolution, and a participant in the Battle of Bunker Hill, is incredibly rare.
Includes a listing of the pair from Wm. Dykes Antiques and an extensive research file of information on
Captain Daniel Tyler.
CONDITION: Good with mostly gray and brown patina overall, some brown around the sights, light
Damascus patterns, and distinct markings and engraving aside from the barrel marking. The stock
is also good and has distinct checkering, some cracks and repairs, and mild scratches and dings.
Mechanically fine. The case is good with moderate age and storage related wear including partially
loose dividers and blank label. The flask has new leather. The other accessories are fine with mild age
and storage wear. B) Tatham Flintlock Pistol - NSN, 69 cal., 8 1/2 inch flat top round bbl., brown/
casehardened/blue finish, walnut stock.
CONDITION: Good with mostly distinct engraving and markings aside from the faded “LONDON” on top
of the barrel, gray and brown patina, faint Damascus patterns, some brown retained by the sights, mild
pitting, and general mild overall wear. The stock is also good and has distinct checkering, a crack and
chip on the left at the breech, and mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The William Dykes Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 20,000 - 35,000
221