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A VERY UNUSUAL BRESCIAN HOLSTER PISTOL BUILT IN THE PARISIAN FASHION AND ON AN EARLIER BRESCIAN WHEEL-LOCK MECHANISM

CIRCA 1690-1700

Details

A VERY UNUSUAL BRESCIAN HOLSTER PISTOL BUILT IN THE PARISIAN FASHION AND ON AN EARLIER BRESCIAN WHEEL-LOCK MECHANISM
Circa 1690-1700
With long tapering barrel cut with a narrow full-length sighting rib flanked by a matching pair of ribs over its rear half, finely engraved with small designs of scrolling foliage at the sight and the middle and stamped 'Domenico Bonomino' on the breech, gold-lined vent, engraved barrel tang, plain flat lock of burnished steel fitted with chiselled slender bracket enclosing the wheel, sliding pan-cover and chiselled baluster dog, carved moulded figured walnut full stock decorated with scrolls in low relief about the barrel tang and above the ramrod-pipe, the moulding behind the tang also inset with an iron plaque engraved with a serpent, full iron mounts finely chiselled and engraved in the Parisian fashion, comprising large spurred pommel encircled by shaped panels of foliage and fitted with small flowerhead cap, engraved flat side-plate centering on a demon mask supported by half-figures, trigger-guard with bold acanthus finial, and a pair of baluster ramrod-pipes, with turned baluster trigger, plain iron fore-end cap, and wooden ramrod.
23in (58.5cm)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

The design for the side-plate is inspired by an engraving included in the patterns of Jean Berain, published in Paris in 1659 and 1667. Those for the pommel and the trigger-guard are closely related to the patterns of Claude Simonin, three editions of which were published in Paris between 1684 and 1693.

For an account of Brescian firearms inscribed 'Domenico Bonomino' see Nolfo di Carpegna, Brescian Firearms. 1997, pp.153-4. Of the forty-five examples cited by di Carpegna only two are found on wheel-locks.

The lock on the present pistol dates from circa 1640.

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