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Attractive Victorian Wheel Lock Pistol with Battle Scene Decorated Ivory Paneled Stock

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:1,000.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 4,250.00 USD
Attractive Victorian Wheel Lock Pistol with Battle Scene Decorated Ivory Paneled Stock
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Armor Terms &Conditions and Additional Information

Estimate: $3000 - 4250
Manufacturer: Unknown Model: Wheellock
Produced at an unknown date and location, the only hint of the origin of this pistol is a small "F/AB" stamp at the rear of the lock plate. Smooth bore, with the octagonal breech transitioning smoothly to the round muzzle, an unadorned dog, and an open wheel secured with a single hook. The trigger and trigger spring are a one-piece assembly, the latter extending out from the bottom of the former and back into the stock, giving a triangular, skeletal appearance to the trigger. Built around a wood base, the stock is entirely covered with decorated ivory panels, shaped and curved to match the contours of the pistol, and demonstrating near-100% coverage of high detail scrimshaw work with a lemon shaped butt. The right side of the forearm shows a panoramic scene of a battle taking place outside of a Continental European city, with a small team of pistoliers on the right side, squaring off against a larger force of pistoliers and pikemen on the left, while further left 2 waves of massed cavalry, supported by arquebussiers and what appears to be artillery fire prepare to sweep onto the battlefield. On the left side, extending from the tip clear behind the trigger guard, is a scene of a large force departing a walled fortress, including a number of ranks of spearmen, flanked and supported by armored cavalry, while a smaller group of horsemen watch on from the far right of the scene. On top of the wrist is a display of half-plate with a plumed open helm, and on the underside is an array of arms and a shield around the trigger, a set of martial musical instruments below the wheel, and ahead of the wheel is a sword-carrying, breech wearing nobleman, posing sword-out between a set of columns. A pair of "native chief" busts adorn the rear sides of the wrist, and the stock terminates in a hexagonal, tapered, 2 inch thick pommel, the side panels bearing another set of native chief busts, the upper two panels depicting ancient warriors in full regalia, and the bottom panels showing a pair of men in military dress, armed with scimitars and early longarms. In addition to these areas, checkerboard, leaf and scroll designs are present on the remainder of the stock. Provenance: The William Ashby Collection
BBL: 16 3/4 inch half octagon
Stock:
Gauge: 50
Finish: bright
Grips: ivory
Serial Number: NSN
Condition:
Good, showing a mixed gray patina overall, with mild pitting concentrated around the wheel and muzzle. The stock is very good, showing some mild repairs and small areas of filler, with finely aged color and impressive detail in the decorations. Mechanically untested. A superb demonstration of the scrimshander's art.