Wheel Lock Pistol thumbnail 1
Wheel Lock Pistol thumbnail 2
+3
images
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
British Galleries, Room 58b

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.


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
  • Length: 58cm
Gallery label
British Galleries: PISTOL, POWDER FLASK AND MUSKET
This beautifully decorated group of weapons was probably made by a craftsman who trained in Northern Europe before settling in England. Such weapons were for display, rather than for battle. The delicate inlay features designs from contemporary Continental prints. The engraved chariot on the powder flask is adapted from an engraving by the German printmaker Virgil Solis (1514-1562).(27/03/2003)
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

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdMarch 27, 2003
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest