Wheel Lock Pistol
ca. 1580 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Object Type
This pistol was owned by the Raymond family of Belchamp Hall, Essex. The pistol is the only surviving 16th-century wheel-lock (a system of ignition operated by a revolving wheel) that was certainly made in England. It has also come down to us with most of its original delicate gold and silver damascened (inlaid) decoration still remaining.
Design & Designing
Several features identify this wheel-lock as of English workmanship. The ornament on the stock (the support that holds the barrel) can be compared to English textiles and other English 16th-century firearms. The shape of the butt is similar to that on other English 16th-century pistols and the damascened decoration on the lock and barrel is very similar to that on a small box dated 1579 that was made for Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth I's favourite courtier. The lock is also fitted with a safety catch of English form.
People
Like the flask and musket, this wheel-lock pistol originally belonged to Sir William Harris of Shenfield House, Essex. At some date in its history the interior mechanism of the lock was altered by an unskilled hand.
This pistol was owned by the Raymond family of Belchamp Hall, Essex. The pistol is the only surviving 16th-century wheel-lock (a system of ignition operated by a revolving wheel) that was certainly made in England. It has also come down to us with most of its original delicate gold and silver damascened (inlaid) decoration still remaining.
Design & Designing
Several features identify this wheel-lock as of English workmanship. The ornament on the stock (the support that holds the barrel) can be compared to English textiles and other English 16th-century firearms. The shape of the butt is similar to that on other English 16th-century pistols and the damascened decoration on the lock and barrel is very similar to that on a small box dated 1579 that was made for Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth I's favourite courtier. The lock is also fitted with a safety catch of English form.
People
Like the flask and musket, this wheel-lock pistol originally belonged to Sir William Harris of Shenfield House, Essex. At some date in its history the interior mechanism of the lock was altered by an unskilled hand.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Steel barrel, wooden stock inlaid with engraved staghorn; barrel mounts damascened in gold and silver |
| Brief description | Puffer pistol with steel barrel engraved and damascened in gold and wooden stock inlaid with engraved staghorn, England, about 1580 |
| Physical description | Puffer pistol with steel barrel engraved and damascened in gold and wooden stock inlaid with engraved staghorn |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Purchased with the assistance of the National Heritage Memorial Fund |
| Object history | Made in England |
| Summary | Object Type This pistol was owned by the Raymond family of Belchamp Hall, Essex. The pistol is the only surviving 16th-century wheel-lock (a system of ignition operated by a revolving wheel) that was certainly made in England. It has also come down to us with most of its original delicate gold and silver damascened (inlaid) decoration still remaining. Design & Designing Several features identify this wheel-lock as of English workmanship. The ornament on the stock (the support that holds the barrel) can be compared to English textiles and other English 16th-century firearms. The shape of the butt is similar to that on other English 16th-century pistols and the damascened decoration on the lock and barrel is very similar to that on a small box dated 1579 that was made for Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester, Elizabeth I's favourite courtier. The lock is also fitted with a safety catch of English form. People Like the flask and musket, this wheel-lock pistol originally belonged to Sir William Harris of Shenfield House, Essex. At some date in its history the interior mechanism of the lock was altered by an unskilled hand. |
| Bibliographic reference | Patterson, Angus, Fashion and Armour in Renaissance Europe: Proud Lookes and Brave Attire, V&A Publishing, London, 2009, ISBN 9781851775811, p. 99, ill. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.949-1983 |
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| Record created | March 27, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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