A rare North French wheellock pistol with an elaborately... Lot n° 2006

Two-stage smooth bore barrel, octagonal then round, in 15.5 mm calibre. Acanthus leaf décor engraved at the breech. Ornately chiselled and engraved lock with a sliding pan cover and an external wheel. The lock plate lavishly curved. A border of decorative bands around the edge, an engraved dragon on the lock plate, a chased mascaron at the butt end. Finely chiselled wheel cover with figures of herms and grotesque masks in high relief. Lavishly chased and engraved cock, the cock spring with an appliquéd mascaron. A long belt clasp screwed onto the side opposite the lock. The walnut full stock with the butt in the form of a fishtail. Decorative floral bands carved below the lock and on the butt cap. Iron butt cap, the engraved trigger guard made of iron. Inset wooden ramrod. Length 43 cm. An extremely rare French wheellock pistol with an elaborately embellished lock. A similar weapon can be found in the collection of the Palazzo Ducale in Venice, illustrated in Umberto Franzoi, "L'Armeria del Palazzo Ducale a Venezia", p. 219, fig. 171. Provenance: Collection of Henk L. Visser. Bonham's, London, auction 14956, lot 279. Condition: II