1579
Southern Germany.
Steel, chiselled and engraved, with walnut stock engraved and inlaid with staghorn
Barrel signed and dated \"SR 1579\"; antler mount signed \"HB [15]79\"

The finest pistols, for both hunting and battle, were matched with powder flasks and cartridge boxes. Their elaborate mounts and delicate inlays were made by specialists. On this pistol-stock, the closely set floral scrolls of antler enclosing grotesque masks, birds and monkeys are signed by a separate hand from the chiselled steel barrel. Hunting with early pistols, which were not very accurate, tested a horseman\'s ability to pursue game at close quarters.
This wheel-lock pistol has a mechanism that enabled it to be carried loaded. The jaws of the lock clamped a piece of flint or a piece or pyrites designed to rub against the rough edge of the wheel projecting into the pan. The wheel was revolved at speed by a tightly coiled spring, wound by a separate spanner, and released when the gun's trigger was pulled causing sparks to ignite the gunpowder in the breech.
Museum no. 612-1893
Collection URL: https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O69199/wheel-lock-pistol/

Powder Flask
Probably 1579
Southern Germany
Walnut inlaid with antler
Museum no. 67-1903
Collection URL: