Thompson Pistol. English-lock pistol. Material : Brass, steel, iron and wood. Made in England, probably 1620s. Descended in the family of John Thompson.

The pistol is an unusually early example of a pistol with an English-lock firing ignition (commonly called "dog lock").  The "dog" was a catch on the left side of the lock plate that held the "cock" in the safe position.  The flint was clasped in the jaw at the top of the cock.  When the flint struck the steel frizzen, the resulting sparks ignited the powder and fired the pistol.

The butt of the pistol has a round knop to make it easy to grab.  A number of pieces are lost from the lock plate, as is the ramrod.

John Thompson (1616-1696) was born in Wales or in England  and had settled in Plymouth by the early 1640s.  He served as Town Selectman, juror and constable.  He later moved to Middleboro.  He also served the Colony in a military capacity.   1673, Thompson was named sergeant and sent on an expedition to New York to stop the Dutch from harassing Plymouth ships.  He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in King Philip's War.  The probate inventory of his possessions at the time of his death lists "arms and ammunition" worth £13, 7 shillings.

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