Pair of pistols

Physical description

A pair of wheel-lock holster pistols with walnut stocks profusely inlaid with oval plaques engraved with allegorical figures within elaborate scroll-work and enclosing minute human figures, animals and birds, of stag-horn and ivory. The inlaid ornament appears to be derived from designs by Theodor de Bry, Adriaen Collaert and Jost Amman. The locks are of early 17th century type, and are unsigned. The barrels are octagonal, the blueing has been renewed. They are stamped at the breech with a barrel-smith's mark which has been partly obliterated through cleaning.

Place of Origin

Germany (probably, made)

Date

1600-1610 (made)

Artist/maker

unknown (production)

Materials and Techniques

Walnut inlaid with antler, steel

Marks and inscriptions

Mark at the breech of each barrel

Dimensions

[Firearm] Height: 11.9 cm, Length: 76.3 cm, Depth: 6.8 cm
[Firearm] Height: 12.7 cm, Length: 76.1 cm, Depth: 6.4 cm

Historical context note

There is no feature in the mechanism or ornament which would justify an attribution to any particular locality within the German cultural area.

Descriptive line

Pair of wheel-lock holster pistols, with engraved staghorn decoration, German, 1600-1610.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

J.F. Hayward., European Armour, London, 1965, cat. 19
A guide to the Museum Collection of firearms first published in 1955. This edition includes a large number of illustrations and a complete text revision. The items described have been selected on the grounds of artistic merit and technical or historical interest.

Materials

Steel; Walnut; Antler

Techniques

Forging; Inlay

Subjects depicted

Birds; Figures; Scroll-work; Animals

Categories

Metalwork; Tools & Equipment; Arms & Armour; Firearms

Collection code

MET