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Pair of Flintlock Pistols Made for Ferdinand IV, King of Naples and Sicily (1751–1825)

Gunsmith Michele Battista Spanish
Barrelsmith Emanuel Esteva Spanish
ca. 1768
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 375
The Royal Arms Factory in Naples was established in 1757 with the significant participation of Spanish gunmakers, who strongly influenced Neopolitan arms production in both technical innovations and artistic style. These magnificent pistols are signed by two leading craftsmen of the factory and appear to have been made for their patron, King Ferdinand IV of Naples and Sicily (1751–1825). What may be portraits of the young king and his queen on the butts of the pistols suggests that they were made to commemorate the royal wedding in 1768.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Pair of Flintlock Pistols Made for Ferdinand IV, King of Naples and Sicily (1751–1825)
  • Manufacturer: Royal Arms Manufactory at Torre Annunziata (Italian, Naples, established 1757)
  • Gunsmith: Michele Battista (Spanish, active in Naples, Italy, recorded about 1760–90)
  • Barrelsmith: Emanuel Esteva (Spanish, active in Naples, Italy, recorded about 1768–73)
  • Date: ca. 1768
  • Geography: Naples
  • Culture: Italo-Spanish, Naples
  • Medium: Steel, gold, wood (walnut), silver
  • Dimensions: L. of each 17 3/8 in. (44.1 cm); L. of each barrel 11 1/16 in. (28.1 cm); Cal. .63 in. (16.0 mm); Wt. of each 2 lb. 4 oz. (1021 g)
  • Classification: Firearms-Pistols
  • Credit Line: Gift of Henry Walters, 1926
  • Object Number: 26.259.5, .6
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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