An Italian Snaphaunce Pistol dating to circa 1680 to 1700

To enquire about this item
please click here

Price: £4,400

Ref: 62080719

Item Description

An attractive and sumptuously engraved late 17th century Italian Snaphaunce Pistol mounted with an  artistically engraved lock, a full tiger stripe stock and finely decorated iron mounts.

The three stage barrel is 11.25 inches (28.5 cm) long and of octagonal section at the the breech for 3 inches (7.5 cm) then of rounded section thereafter to the muzzle. The flat lock plate is finely engraved with scrolls and foliage. The cock is formed with a comb and a dolphin at the neck. The domed head of the screw central to the cock is chiselled in the shape of a human face. The frizzen arm is shaped as the head of a dog.

A pierced escutcheon centred with a bust is attached to the upper wrist. The nicely shaped trigger guard is also centred with the bust of a man. The trigger is scrolled backwards and of early form as is the barrel tang screw which enters the stock in front of the trigger with the blunt end terminating flush with the tang top. The butt cap has a further bust in the centre and is engraved with a green man mask on each side from which two long spurs emanate towards the lock and sideplate.

The finely figured full tiger stripe stock is complete and whole other than a small repair at the butt end either side of the trigger guard terminal. It has a raised moulding at the ramrod step. The ramrod tubes are cut with raised bands. The horn tipped ramrod has a screw terminal. The stock is mounted with a foliate pierced sideplate also featuring the head of a beast. A sturdy belt hook is screwed into the side plate attached by a screw through the finial.

Overall length 17 inches (43 cm).