Percussiepistool c. 1833 - 1870

This Percussiepistool was produced by Williams & Powell, though its exact date remains unknown. The pistol's ornamental flourishes belie its true function: violence. Weaponry tells us about a culture's priorities and capabilities. In the 19th century, London gunsmiths Williams & Powell catered to an elite market, selling sporting guns and pistols. Weapons like this one became symbols of power and prestige. The pistol reflects the complex dance between technological advancement, social status, and imperial expansion. It speaks of the institutional powers—the state, the military, and the economic system—that drove the production and use of such weapons. Further research into Williams & Powell, period arms catalogues, and social histories of 19th-century Britain could reveal the specific context in which this pistol was produced and used. By examining these resources, we can better understand the social conditions that shaped its creation and the values it represents.