Magnificent Brescian wheellock holster pistols

[hawkeye1755]

I've learned today, that PitchyPine his next project will be a wheellock.
So here are some pics, PitchyPine. :grin:

Magnificent, museum quality, pair of Brescian wheellock holster pistols by Antonio Franzino, ca. 1650. Overall length 21 ½”. Beautifully filed .56 cal. barrels with seven raised longitudinal ribs at the breech end then tapered and fluted with 16-side flats to the cannon muzzle. Filed cannon-type rings at both the breech and muzzle and deeply stamped with the maker’s name at the breech. The superbly filed and fitted plain locks are of unsurpassed quality and remain in mint condition. The finely figured walnut full stocks with multiple finely pierced and inlaid steel panels engraved with scrollwork, flowers, and foliage.
Oh,btw, price:$55,000.00
:hatsoff:

 

[Charles D. Prokopp]

Let me check the balance on my VISA... :shocked2:
Those are wonderful. The closeup of the wheel and dog has answered a question I've long had: how the pyrites fit in the jaw with it aligned with the back edge of the flashpan. I see that the BOTTOM jaw moves while the top is fixed. Ergo, the fragile pyrites are actually supported by the back edge of of the pan, giving more reinforcement against the wheel's rotation. That actually looks like a more stable setup than is used in flintlocks.
Thanks for the enlightenment!

 

[8 BORE]

There's a smitty in Missouri that will build you a wheellock for about $2000.00 from scratch, and his are excellent shooters...........Ruff Rider

 

[Leonredbeard]

Undertaker,
Those are marvelous! I sat here with my mouth hanging agape. I am awestruck!

The gentleman who built them just had too much time on his hands, especially with those pierced steel inlays. When you think that all this was done with hand tools, no electric power tools.
volatpluvia

 

[PitchyPine]

Oh my :shocked2: those are something else alright.
I don`t think i`ll ever make anything that nice.
Thanks for post the pics they are very clear and show how things work nicely. :thumbsup:

 

[ChrisPer]

Definitely too much time on his hands... Brescians made stunning stuff but this is the best I have seen.

 

[PitchyPine]

Inoticed the vent hole looks to be very large in the picture, i drilled mine 1/16th, should i have gone larger.

 

[hawkeye1755]

I think not larger than 3/32.Hope that is correct.
Have always to look at my measuring tape. :redface: for inch.But you are right, the hole looks large.
:hatsoff:

 

[PitchyPine]

Thanks, i`ll see how quick she goes off, that`s after i get the powder in the pan to light. :haha:

 

[ChrisPer]

Did any gunmakers of that age use tapered touch holes?

 

[benvenuto]

Its not only the pierced steel work, but the fact that the mounts are all perfectly INLETTED :shocked2:

This is a set of pistols of royal quality, reminds me of the set in the Art, Arms and Armour book made for Louis XIII as a diplomatic gift from the republic of Venice

 

[PitchyPine]

Did any gunmakers of that age use tapered touch holes?

If your asking me i have no idea :hmm:

 

[Leonredbeard]

Benvenuto,
The perfect inletting of those pearced wrap arounds is what had me staring bug eyed. :shocked2: I would have NO idea how to get started on that inlay. OBVIOUSLY it wasn't the first try of he who did it. I sincerely hope those two gonnes and none of the others like it are ever destroyed for any reason. They are monuments to the God given artistic ability of man.
volatpluvia

 

[Blizzard of '93]

thanks again for fine fotos, that is art for sure on the level of Da Vinci.

 

[WRussell]

You know, you said a mouthful there. I wonder if firearms (and clocks, etc) will ever command the price of a Da Vinci painting. This may be a great investment - or not...