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Here's a fun early Roman style miquelet with Spanish influence, Southern Italy?

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I believe this to be mid 17th century. It's early and large. The shape of the lock and general styling looks like the Roman style but the way the **** sits on the stops that runs through the plate it is Spanish in style as is the main spring. The last photo to compare a Roman miquelet of the same period.
 

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Hi 1640

Congratulations !!! Nice, big, early lock. Yes, probably about Mid-17th Century. I too saw this in the auction. But since retirement, I'm not buying much anymore. But I like to keep up with the auctions.
The lock is sometimes loosely referred to as a Naples style lock. The confluence of both Southern and Central features. And you see this often. As mentioned, you notice the mainspring operates off the heel of the **** (Spanish style) versus the toe of the **** (Roman style). Notice the large lock plate is not unlike their matchlocks and wheellocks of the earlier period. Also note, the extra long length of the top screw. You see this on miquelet locks especially from around the turn of the 18th Century and earlier. I've often thought these longer top screws were to allow a variety of flint shapes before the "shaped" flint became more of an industry.

Again, Congrats. A cool addition to a lock collection. Although, it would be fun to have an early Italian style musket made using same. LOL

Please do post your other locks individually. And thanks for posting.

Rick
 
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