A VERY RARE 30-BORE GERMAN (BRUNSWICK) WHEEL-LOCK BELT PISTOL

CIRCA 1560-70

Details

A VERY RARE 30-BORE GERMAN (BRUNSWICK) WHEEL-LOCK BELT PISTOL
Circa 1560-70
With swamped three-stage barrel decorated with punched circles, incised lines, and incised bands of ropework, the octagonal breech section struck on the top flat in front of the tubular back-sight with a mark, a man's face, flat lock-plate engraved with double lines, engraved flat circular wheel-cover engraved with double lines of shallow zigzags, sliding pan-cover with swelling release-catch, swivelling safety-catch, and engraved cock with internal spring, full stock (minor defects) partly inlaid with white staghorn lines, bands, and panels decorated with foliage and ball-flowers, and a winged monster on the left side of the butt, compressed ball pommel with vacant circular medallion, iron baluster trigger-guard, pierced iron belt hook, engraved staghorn ramrod-pipe and fore-end cap, and later horn-tipped ramrod (some wear and minor surface pitting, safety-catch replaced)
24in. (61cm.)

Lot Essay

Cf. two similar pistols formerly in the collection of The Lord Astor of Hever at Hever Castle, sold by Sotheby & Co., London, 5 May 1983, lots 65 and 66 For an account of Brunswick wheel-lock firearms, see W. Glage, Das Kunsthandwerk der Büchsenmacher im Land Braunschweig, Brunswick, 1983, pp. 5-60

More from ANTIQUE ARMS & ARMOUR

View All