EXCEPTIONAL TWO-SHOT PINWHEEL PISTOL. Superimposed... Lot 5

EXCEPTIONAL TWO-SHOT PINWHEEL PISTOL. Superimposed round barrels with thunderbolts, decorated with grooves and ovals, dated "1604" and hallmarked. The barrels are joined by two long bands engraved with thunderbolts and two arrowhead pieces at the muzzles. Superb, large lock with two openwork, engraved spinning wheels held by three strong screws; one hammer at the rear, one hammer at the front, springs and screws, decorated with chasing. Basins with sliding basin covers operated by knobs decorated with four fleurs-de-lis. Fruitwood frame adorned with engraved deer antler plate inlays decorated with flowers, friezes, foliage branches and fruit. Tailpiece decorated on either side with two male profiles, side against lock with fantastical animals, flowers and foliage; below lock front, moustachioed mask, fruit frieze and geometric designs. The entrance to the ramrod is decorated with two profiles reminiscent of those around the breech. Shaft end engraved with foliage. Wooden ramrod with engraved deer antler tip. Pear-shaped pommel with six slightly recessed facets, inlaid knob and border. Pistol length: 62 cm. Lock length: 29 cm. A.B.E. Germany (Saxony), 1604. Reglued pommel, fracture and reglued motifs on the rear of the barrel, barrel tip, ramrod entrance and some old but later motifs. Nevertheless, this pistol is an exceptional piece. Provenance : - Former Rutherfurd Stuyvesant (1843-1909) collection, reproduced in "The collection of arms and armor of Rutherfurd Stuyvesant, 1843-1909", plate XLI, n°166, "Whell-lock pistol, double-barreled form". -Former Alain Serpette collection. Related work: - A pistol similar in design and aesthetics in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dated 1612. n°04.3.194, former collection of Charles Maurice Camille de Talleyrand-Périgord, Duc de Dino.