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Lot Essay
The development of the wheellock pistol was largely driven by Germany’s major arms-making centers, particularly Augsburg and Nuremberg. German pistols often feature distinctive marks and were frequently dated during the 16th century, providing valuable historical information. Ball-butted pistols, known as Puffers, remained popular until the late 16th century. Designed for horsemen and carried in saddle holsters, their large ball pommel likely ensured a secure grip when drawn. The name almost certainly describes the large puff of smoke discharged from the muzzle when fired.
A number of similar high quality wheellock pistols of this exact design are recorded, with a large number preserved in the city arsenal at Graz, Austria. The pistols are invariably stamped with the control marks of Augsburg or Nuremberg, with some examples like the Aitken one bearing both marks. It may be speculated that a consortium of craftsmen from both south German cities were contracted to fulfill a large order of these pistols, all according to a prescribed design. Two similar examples are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, both bearing Augsburg marks alone (acc. Nos. 14.25.1402a, 14.25.1402b).
Although this series of pistols appears to have been made to fulfill an large order, suggesting their use for the military or a city militia, their design is particularly elegant, the dark ebonized wood providing an effective contrast to the large plaques of bone engraved with Renaissance strapwork, grotesques, and human figures.
A number of similar high quality wheellock pistols of this exact design are recorded, with a large number preserved in the city arsenal at Graz, Austria. The pistols are invariably stamped with the control marks of Augsburg or Nuremberg, with some examples like the Aitken one bearing both marks. It may be speculated that a consortium of craftsmen from both south German cities were contracted to fulfill a large order of these pistols, all according to a prescribed design. Two similar examples are in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, both bearing Augsburg marks alone (acc. Nos. 14.25.1402a, 14.25.1402b).
Although this series of pistols appears to have been made to fulfill an large order, suggesting their use for the military or a city militia, their design is particularly elegant, the dark ebonized wood providing an effective contrast to the large plaques of bone engraved with Renaissance strapwork, grotesques, and human figures.