# Queen Anne pistol > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Queen_Anne_pistol > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Queen_Anne_pistol.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne_pistol > Source revision: 1299176096 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Type of breech-loading flintlock pistol Flintlock pistol in "Queen Anne" layout, made in Lausanne by Galliard, circa 1760. On display at Morges military museum. **Queen Anne pistols** are a type of [breech-loading](/source/Breechloader) [flintlock](/source/Flintlock) [pistol](/source/Pistol) known as a **turn-off pistol**, in which the [chamber](/source/Chamber_(firearms)) is filled from the front and accessed by unscrewing the [barrel](/source/Barrel_(firearms)). Another distinguishing feature of the design is that the [lock-plate](/source/Lock_(firearm)) and the breech section (chamber) of the firearm are forged as a single piece. Possibly first made in England,[1] they came in fashion in England during the reign of Queen [Anne](/source/Anne%2C_Queen_of_Great_Britain) (reigned 1702–1714) and are consequently so named. This type of pistol is noted for being made small, so that it could be easily carried and concealed. [Carbines](/source/Carbine) of this design are also documented.[2] ## Design Queen Anne pistols are [flintlock](/source/Flintlock) pistols with three defining characteristics. They have a turn-off [barrel](/source/Barrel_(firearm)), typically with a swelled cannon muzzle, and are chamber-loaded. The body of the pistol (the breech) and the lock-plate are forged as a single piece. The [frizzen](/source/Frizzen) spring is located to the rear of the frizzen rather than the conventional position, in front of it. To the last of these, this is a functional modification, such that the spring's location does not obstruct removal of the barrel for loading. The lock-plate is integral with the body, and is sometimes described as a *[boxlock](/source/Boxlock_action)* in consequence. It is nonetheless offset to one side with the mechanism assembled either side of the plate and is otherwise a conventional *sidelock* design. This is substantially different from the usual use of the term associated with Anson and Deeley patented shotgun design, where the firing mechanism is mounted *within* the frame of the firearm rather than off the sides of a lock-plate.[3][4][5][6] Queen Anne pistols are typically [rifled](/source/Rifling). To load, the barrel unscrews (with the aid of a spanner) just in advance of the [chamber](/source/Chamber_(firearms)) recess, that is filled with [powder](/source/Gunpowder). The [ball](/source/Bullet) is placed in a conical seat (cup) at the end of the chamber before replacing the barrel. The breech end of the barrel is slightly enlarged to accept the ball. Upon firing, the ball fills the grooves of the rifling to create an effective seal.[4] The design was particularly suited to producing a small pistol that could be easily carried and concealed. They may be referred to as an *overcoat* pistol, a *toby* or a *[muff](/source/Muff_(handwarmer))* pistol. Queen Anne pistols usually exhibit a high level of decorative finish and workmanship.[4] - Toby version of a Queen Anne pistol - Queen Anne pistol by Clemmes of London - A Queen Anne pistol by Turvey of London with exceptional silver decoration - Likely ultimate development of Queen Anne design by Mortimer & Co. c. 1805. Folding trigger, bolt safety locking the frizzen, roller on frizzen spring, link on main spring, front sight ## See also - [Derringer](/source/Derringer) - [Pocket pistol](/source/Pocket_pistol) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Burgoyne, John W. (2002). *The Queen Anne Pistol 1660–1780*. Bloomfield, Ontario: Museum Restoration Service. pp. 17–19. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0888550154](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0888550154). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [51042779](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/51042779). [OL](/source/OL_(identifier)) [22519661M](https://openlibrary.org/books/OL22519661M). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Queen Anne Flintlock Carbine"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130123114211/https://weaponscollector.com/qa_carbine.php). *WeaponsCollector.com*. Archived from [the original](https://weaponscollector.com/qa_carbine.php) on 2013-01-23. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Weiland, Terry (2008). [*Vintage British Shotguns: A Shooting Sportsman Guide*](https://books.google.com/books?id=de9XBAAAQBAJ&dq=Anson+and+Deeley+boxlock&pg=PA94). Down East Books. pp. 93–101. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780892728435](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780892728435). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Kinard_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Kinard_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Kinard_4-2) Kinard, Jeff (2003). [*Pistols:An Illustrated History of Their Impact*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ZVnuHX_6bG0C). ABC-CLIO. p. 34. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-851094-70-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-851094-70-7). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [*Silver Clad Queen Anne Pistols*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cx2in3FeWv4) – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Miller, Martin (1978). [*The Collector's Illustrated Guide to Firearms*](https://books.google.com/books?id=uvJyGRjvFgoC&q=queen+anne+boxlock). Mayflower Books. pp. 59, 95 & 101. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [9780831700133](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780831700133). ## Further reading - ["Pirate Living History 1680–1725"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210518130214/http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/arms.htm). *Gentlemen of Fortune*. Archived from [the original](http://www.gentlemenoffortune.com/arms.htm) on 2021-05-18.. - Boothroyd, Geoffrey (1970). *The Handgun*. Crown Publishers. - Garrett, Richard (Spring 2005). "The Evolution of the Queen Anne Pistol". *Catalogue of the London Park Lane Arms Fair*. ## External links - Media related to [Queen Anne pistols](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Queen_Anne_pistols) at Wikimedia Commons --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Queen Anne pistol](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne_pistol) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Anne_pistol?action=history)). 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