Queen Anne Pistol, The, 1660-1780

The purpose of this book is to fill a gap in the arms literature and to trace the development of the design and decoration of a uniquely English type of pistol known colloquially as the Queen Anne or, more correctly, as the turn-off pistol. This distinctive breech-loading arm was developed in the middle years of the 17th century but found popularity during the reign of the monarch (1702-1714) by whose name it is known. It continued to be made until about 1780. With a comprehensive text and almost 200 illustrations, the styles and decoration from the mid 17th century, through the baroque and rococo designs imported from France that were adapted by English gunmakers, to produce a particularly accurate and distinctive pistol. 114