Our latest Treasure of the Month is an exciting new artifact recovered by diver Grant Gitschlag of the MV Capitana crew in August of this year. We are honored to be one of the first venues to feature this remarkable, heavily encrusted flintlock pistol. As we have noted before on other occasions, encrusted objects are one of our favorite subjects. The way in which the ocean has magically transformed ordinary items into works of art is extraordinary. We even have a term for encrusted objects…“Ocean Art”.
The flintlock is complete with flint, ramrod, ramrod thimble, lock plate, and butt cap. For more information about this piece, we contacted Noel Wells, a lifelong student and recognized expert of Fleet-related firearms, who offered the following information:
“The X-ray shows that this pistol is fitted with the classic “French” style lock, which is quite different from the “Miquelet” or Spanish lock. Although we cannot see the side plate, it, as well as the butt cap and single ramrod thimble, is likely made of brass. The only missing piece of brass is the trigger guard. The ramrod thimble clearly shows the hole that was used to pin it to the stock. The ramrod does not appear to have a metal tip, but it looks like it may have wire wrapping instead. This would have prevented “mushrooming” when ramming the charge. If one looks at the lock plate, a few of the screw holes, or perhaps the screws themselves, can be seen.” (N. Wells, personal communication, August 31, 2026)
For a more detailed history of flintlock pistols, see Wells, N. (2006), Small ArmsInsignia of a family or country, containing specific figures and colors and passed along through hereditary lineage. of the Spanish Treasure Fleets. Rock Bottom Publications, Dallas, Texas. We do not know the origin of our featured treasure, as we are unable to access key information located on the pistol itself. It is likely that this flintlock pistol was one of many such pistols that were common for that era. There have been other flintlock pistols found on at least one other 1715 Fleet wreck site. (Wells 137). Below is an image of another Flintlock pistol recovered by the Real Eight CompanyAlso referred to occasionally as “The Real 8 Company”- was incorporated in 1961. It had eight members….Kip Wagner, Kip Kelso, Dan Thompson, Harry Cannon, Lou Ullian, Del Long, Erv Taylor and Lisbon Fu... More circa the 1960s. Notice its similarity to our Treasure of the Month.
See our November 2024 Treasure of the Month for the story of another flintlock pistol, this one found by Levin Shavers of Mighty Mo Divers in July 2024.
Here is another Treasure of the Month (October 2015) that used X-ray technology to “unlock” the secrets of an encrusted object.
Special thanks to Noel Wells for taking the time to share his knowledge with us and Sal Guttuso (Member #226), Director of Operations for 1715 Fleet — Queens Jewels, LLC, who supplied images of our featured treasure.
