Captain Cook's pistol on sale

A flintlock pistol reputed to have belonged to the explorer Captain James Cook is going under the hammer today.

The gun is being sold in Edinburgh by a direct descendant of Captain Cook’s eldest sister, Margaret.

Experts at Lyon and Turnbull, where the pistol is being sold, said documentation backs up the origins of the weapon.

Relatives have a copy of the family tree as well as the will of James Cook’s wife and other papers and photographs of interest.

Recently a walking stick made from the spear that killed the great explorer was sold for a record £135,000 (€192,911).

John Batty, an expert from Lyon and Turnbull, said: “It is another unique opportunity for someone to buy a piece of history, particularly as it has such sound provenance.

“We have already had calls from New Zealand, Alaska and Australia.”

The illustrious life of the British adventurer has been well chronicled.

His travels ended in 1779 when he was killed by crowd of over 1,000 warriors on a Hawaiian island.

After landing, a shot was fired and in the ensuing uproar Cook was clubbed to the ground and repeatedly stabbed by native spears.

His body was surrendered by the natives and was buried at sea on the February 21, 1779.

The pistol is be sold in Lyon and Turnbull’s fine antiques sale.