CIRCA 1760

Details

A PAIR OF CATALAN MIQUELET-LOCK PISTOLS BY ROVIRA, IGUALDA
circa 1760
Each with sighted barrel swamped at the muzzle, with octagonal breech section changing to polygonal and with the barrelmaker's gold-lined stamp, CAMS, enclosed by three silver wheatsheaf stamps (Neue Støckel 160), engraved barrel tang, patilla lock fitted with engraved bevelled bridles, the inner-face of the top jaw incised in the Ripoll fashion and the steel struck with maker's stamp (Neue Støckel 947) and inscribed 'Igvalda' below, carved moulded figured walnut full stock decorated with foliage in low relief about the barrel tang and ramrod-pipe, fluted fore-end bound with a brass band behind the muzzle, and one retaining its original fabric and leather pad fitted over the tail of the lock, full brass mounts retaining most of their original gilding and engraved with trophies-of-arms and bands of foliage on a contrasting pounced ground, including spurred pommel with demon mask cap in low relief, and each with brass-capped wooden ramrod, one probably the original (belt hooks removed).
12¼in (31.1cm) (2)

Special notice

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

Lot Essay

The barrelmaker is a member of the Camps family, the stamp on these pistols is attributed to Manuel, of Barcelona. The Rovira maker's stamp in this instance is very similar to that attributed in Neue Støckel to a family member from Ripoll, circa 1675-1702. Two examples of this stamp are recorded on a Ripoll carbine dated 1694, formerly in the W. Keith Neal Collection, and on a magazine-primed revolving gun, dated 1702, in the Royal Armouries Collection, Leeds (XII-1123).
The maker of the present pistols is almost certainly Antonio Rovira (Ruira), recorded working in Igualda, gunmaker to King Fernando VI, and evidently related to the earlier Rovira of Ripoll.

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