Lot 10
10
A VERY RARE PAIR OF GERMAN FLINTLOCK REPEATING MAGAZINE PISTOLS BUILT ON THE LORENZONI PRINCIPLE, BY WETSCHGI, AUGSBURG
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 1… Read more
A VERY RARE PAIR OF GERMAN FLINTLOCK REPEATING MAGAZINE PISTOLS BUILT ON THE LORENZONI PRINCIPLE, BY WETSCHGI, AUGSBURG

EARLY 18TH CENTURY

Details
A VERY RARE PAIR OF GERMAN FLINTLOCK REPEATING MAGAZINE PISTOLS BUILT ON THE LORENZONI PRINCIPLE, BY WETSCHGI, AUGSBURG
Early 18th Century
Each with turn-off barrel formed in two-stages and tapering to a trumpet-shaped muzzle, three-quarter length flat, stepped moulding at the breech, brass fore-sight and rifled with seven grooves, brass action signed 'Fecit Et Invenit Wetschgi Augustae' within an engraved scrollwork frame on the top, bevelled brass lock engraved with a panel of scrollwork en suite with both the action and the priming magazine, fitted with rotary chamber-lever formed as a serpent, off-set trigger, moulded figured walnut butt, brass spurred pommel with hinged cap cast with a demon mask in low relief and opening to reveal two brass-lined cavities for powder and ball, and each with brass trigger-guard engraved with the old armoury number 'No.-28' (one action faulty, the steel an early working replacement, the butts each with some shrinkage, one with minor crack).
20 3/8in (51.7cm) (2)
Provenance
Joe Kindig, Jr.
Special notice
VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The maker was probably Emanuel Wetschgi, recorded working in Augsburg circa 1714-28.
A number of pairs of magazine pistols and single longarms by this maker are in the armoury at Schloss Wolfegg, near Ravensburg.
A single pistol was included in the sale of the collection of William Goodwin Renwick, Sotheby & Co; part IV, 19th March, 1974, lot 23.
A pair of magazine pistols by this maker, with minor differences to the present are in the Danish Royal collection in the Tøjhusmuseum, Copenhagen (B.1201).
For a carbine built on the same principle, also by Wetschgi, see Sotheby & Co., The Property of a Nobleman, 13th May, 1975, lot 11.

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