EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE, ALL-IRON, PROFUSELY... Lot 2

EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE, ALL-IRON, PROFUSELY DECORATED GRENADE-WHEEL SPEAR. Thick, round barrel decorated with a figure in a horse-drawn doublet and a coat-of-arms with a thunderbolt. Strong flat-bodied lock, engraved with scrolls and punched, with external spinning wheel, held in place by a cut-out leafy flange. Engraved and chased spring and hammer. Sliding bassoon cover. Stock with ball knob, decorated en suite. Long round trigger guard and wrought-iron belt hook. Hallmark attributed to Brunswick, it is our grenade launcher that is referenced in the "Stockel" for this hallmark n°2118, tome I, p.170. Barrel length: 18.8 cm. Overall length: 44 cm. Muzzle diameter: 87 mm. Inside diameter: 64 mm. A.B.E. Germany. Nuremberg. Circa 1570-1590. Bibliography: - F. Théodore DEXTER, "Half century Scrapbook of Vari-type Fire arms", n°401, plate 14, "German all metal Whelllock Hand Mortar, period 1580". Provenance: -Former Frank E. Bivens Junior collection (California). -Former Alain Serpette collection