Firearm’s history

The blunderbuss shown in 
your report (6 December) was probably owned by my great-great- great-great-grandfather, James Stewart, a tacksman of the Stank farm at Calendar, 
who was the major in the Duke of Perth’s Regiment during the 1745
Rebellion.

James Stewart was recorded as carrying a blunderbuss on Falside Hill, spying out the Cope army the day before the Battle­ of Prestonpans in Christopher Duffy’s book, The ’45.

He was captured when his horse was shot out from under him at Culloden.

He was shipped south to the Thames and sentenced to
death for “high treason 
against his Majesty”, which would have meant hanging, drawing and quartering for an officer.

He was pardoned for saving the lives and paying for surgeons, lodgings and care of many of the wounded in Cope’s army after the battle.

The blunderbuss should stay on display at Culloden.

Stuart Russell