Flintlock Pistol

James Grice

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

This pistol features a two stage, engraved brass barrel, engraved steel lock, and brass mounts with a trophy of arms adorning the pommel. The Grice family of gunmakers was based in Birmingham but marked some of their products as having been made in London, presumably to capitalize on that city’s prestige as one of the most important centers of gunmaking in Europe.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art