Lexington—Major Pitcairn's Pistols

Ernest C. Peixotto's detailed rendering depicts the pair of ornate flintlock pistols carried by British Major John Pitcairn at the Battle of Lexington in 1775. The weapons showcase elaborate engraving, decorative inlays, and embossed ornamentation characteristic of 18th-century officer-grade arms. Peixotto, a San Francisco-born illustrator, rendered historical artifacts with meticulous attention to material culture and craftsmanship. This work exemplifies the illustrator's interest in documenting American Revolutionary history through its material evidence—a common practice among late 19th-century artists documenting national heritage.