"Circa 1812 Gentleman's pistol Forsyth scent bottle lock (Gold Fittings): "

That is probably authentic, as the date is within the range of Forsyth's patent.

"Percussion pistol by Forsyth, English, c1840. The pistol is fitted with the
'scent-bottle' lock designed and developed by the Reverend Alexander Forsyth
at the Tower of London in 1806-1807: "

I believe the 1840 date may be spurious, although it is obviously a Forsyth; the percussion cap was patented by Joshua Shaw in 1822 (IIRC), after Forsyth's patent would have expired (14-year English patent limit, IIRC, for this time period). I cannot be certain, but it would seem unlikely for Forsyth to continue with his lock so far into the percussion-cap period.

Shaw is reported as stating that he developed the cap in 1811 but had to wait for Forsyth's patent to expire to apply for his; this is very likely true, as there were several improvements developed by others early on, but which were the subject of patent lawsuits by Forsyth.

"Of possible interest: "

"http://www.gunstar.co.uk/Antique-Pistol-Hand-guns/Joseph-Egg-gun-for-sale-gs6776.aspx"

Many of these early guns were converted from flintlock to percussion after Shaw's percussion cap became available; this is probably the correct situation with regard to these, as Forsyth is recorded as vigorously defending his patent, as required by law; and the percussion cap situation described above.

Note that I would not have expected many of Forsyth's pistols to be carried during the conflict, only that it would have been possible, as they were available. I would imagine that if any officer had purchased a Forsyth, it would probably have been as a "status" item to show off ("latest and greatest" imagination); as is well known, there were many officers who purchased their commisions primarily for social status, and many of this crowd were generally incompetent on military affairs and weaponry.

I find myself wondering in what sort of packaging loose fulminate powder would have been carried to re-charge the scent-bottle, given the sensitivity of fulminates. Modern magnum-primers (as also standard rifle and pistol primers) are packaged for reloading in a small plastic tray, with channels for 10 primers, in 10 rows, arranged to prevent metal-to-metal contact with the internal anvils (American Boxer primers; Europe and England use Berdan primers, IIRC) inside a card-stock slip-cover. Some caution is required in handling the magnum primers in magazine-equipped priming tools, as if one goes off, it can potentially set off the others; this would be the modern parallel to the above situation.

Thanks very much, Steven, all these are of interest.

Regards, John