PERSIAN MARKED 69 CAL SEA SERVICE FLINTLOCK PISTOL
Persian marked .69 caliber British made Sea Service Flintlock Pistol. Walnut stock. Lanyard ring. Hinged loading lever. Brass buttcap, forecap and triggerguard. Farsi stamp on right lockplate. Illegible Farsi mark on trigger guard.
Provenance:From the personal collection of Melville Eastham, early radio pioneer and a founder of the General Radio Company. Born in Oregon City, OR on June 26th, 1885. Following high school graduation from Portland Academy, he worked as an electrician for a Portland street railway before moving to New York City in 1905 where he worked for the Ovington X-ray Company. Taking note that the high-voltage spark coils used to excite X-ray tubes were becoming popular as transmitters for radio amateurs, he moved to Boston in 1906. Here, he was a co-founder of the Clapp-Eastham Company, manufacturers of radio receiving and transmitting equipment. In 1915, Mr. Eastham founded General Radio to manufacture electrical measuring equipment. His company experienced a boom in business with strong private and military demand for radios during World War I and the growth of the radio broadcasting market which followed.

He served as president until 1944, when transitioned to the title of chief engineer. He retired in 1950.

During World War II, Mr. Eastham served in the Office of Scientific Research and Development where he led the LORAN radio navigation development efforts at MIT's Radiation Laboratory.

Mr. Eastham also was a pioneer in employee relations. His company instituted the 40-hour week and paid vacations as early as 1915. Company-financed life insurance and profit-sharing followed shortly after.

Mr. Eastham passed away in Cambridge, MA on May 6th, 1964 at the age of 78.

Caliber / Gauge: .69
Barrel Length: 9"

Very good. Very good bore, with some surface oxidation. Light gray patina. Stock exhibits some handling marks. Screw has been replaced in brass forecap. Hammer does not remain in cocked position. Mechanically fair.