CIRCA 1600

Details

A Very Rare 19-Bore Italian Two-Shot Superimposed-Load Wheel-Lock Gun
Circa 1600
With two-stage sighted barrel, the muzzle issuing from the mouth of a finely chiselled lion-head, the tip of the mane forming the fore-sight, the octagonal breech with raised longitudinal ribs, plain tang, large tandem lock struck twice with a mark, a fleur-de-lys within an oval, lightly engraved cocks, manually-operated pan-covers, walnut full stock (minor cracks and chips) inlaid with iron pellets and wire, and pierced and engraved iron panels, the fore-stock with two fluted iron bands for securing the barrel-pins, faceted iron trigger-guard, iron butt-plate secured by nails, safety-catch working directly on the trigger, and iron-tipped ramrod (iron parts with some surface pitting)
36¼in. (92.1cm.) barrel

Provenance

William Goodwin Renwick, Sotheby & Co., London, 18 March 1975, lot 39 (£6,600 to Neal)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Further details

END OF MORNING SESSION

Lot Essay

This is the earliest Italian wheel-lock firing two superimposed-load charges. The style resembles that of wheel-locks from the Farnese Armoury in the Capodimonte Museum, Naples, for instance inv. nos. 4087 and 3255, illustrated in A. Gaibi, Le Armi da Fuoco Portatili Italiane, plate 52
For information on W.G. Renwick, see footnote to lot 260

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