|
S |
M |
T |
W |
T |
F |
S |
|
|
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30
|
31
|
|
|
Forums10
Topics38,504
Posts545,549
Members14,416
|
Most Online1,344 Apr 29th, 2024
|
|
|
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 400 Likes: 31
Sidelock
|
OP
Sidelock
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 400 Likes: 31 |
Does anyone know the origin and meaning of the engraved Pineapple finial, ahead of the trigger guard and on the forearm of so many percussion and flintlock shotguns?
HWK
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 355 Likes: 10
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 355 Likes: 10 |
Are you sure it's a pineapple? I have seen thistles depicted with cross-hatched marks on the center portion in a similar way.
Thistles are often associated with good luck in Scotland.
I have a brass letter opener which waa given to me as a gift by my mother upon returning from Scotland. One could easily mistake the large thistle for a pineapple. Especially so, when the thistle is depicted in its unpicked state, where it hasnt opened. The body of it is detailed with cross-hatched marks.
NDG
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,025 Likes: 51
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,025 Likes: 51 |
Common good fortune motif or sign of success in the decor of the 1700’s
Michael Dittamo Topeka, KS
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 388 Likes: 4
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 388 Likes: 4 |
On English guns, it is a pineapple. And it has the same meaning, good luck and bountifulness.
Earlier guns (18th century) an acorn finial was very common. The pineapple evolved from this around the turn of the century, and became the predominate style.
“I left long before daylight, alone but not lonely.”~Gordon Macquarrie
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,163 Likes: 1155
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 13,163 Likes: 1155 |
In the South, and maybe other places as well, the pineapple is considered a sign of hospitality. It supposedly began with a tradition begun by ship's captains. When they would return home from the sea they would spear a pineapple and place it in front of their house by the gate, signifying that they were home, safe from the recent voyage, and that there was food and drink inside for all who would like to come in and visit.
SRH
May God bless America and those who defend her.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,427 Likes: 315
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,427 Likes: 315 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 111
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 111 |
The Scottish thistle is the national plant of Scotland which is why you see it on so many things from and about Scotland.
Legend had it that a long time ago when Scotland was still independent an English army attacked a Scottish castle, in the dark of night they stripped from their clothing to better swim the mote and jumped in only to find the mote dry and over'grown with thistles, their cries of pain woke the castle and saved the day for Scotland.
I don't know nothing about no pineapples.
TM
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,278 Likes: 11
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,278 Likes: 11 |
Dr.WtS Mysteries of the Cosmos Unlocked available by subscription
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 388 Likes: 4
Sidelock
|
Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 388 Likes: 4 |
“I left long before daylight, alone but not lonely.”~Gordon Macquarrie
|
|
|
|
|
|