Wheellock Gun Made for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony

The barrel of this gun is in two stages, the rear half faceted, the front half round, and is blued, with a band of engraved and gilt floral patterns at both ends and in the center. The front and rear sights are also gilt. On the barrel are stamped the initails Z H of Zacharias Herold (Støckel 513), the date 1589, and the initials M B of an unidentified barrelsmith (Støckel 3879). On the breech plug is the number 8.

The lock is fitted with a safety catch and a spring-closed pan cover with button release. The wheel is housed under a domed cover of gilt brass engraved with Saxon coat of arms. On the lock plate is the fleur-de-lis mark of Zacharias Herold (Støckel 512). The trigger is provided with a screw regulating the pull (which is generally very sensitive in wheellocks).

The walnut stock is inlaid with staghorn carved and engraved with fantastic animals, human and animal mask, an eagle, a bust of a warrior, scrolls, and floral motifs. The patch-box cover is marked inside with the monogram M A, probably that of the stockmaker. The numbers 31 and 32 are incised on the butt and are probably inventory markings. The stock of this gun probably belonged to another arquebus from the same series and was at some time assembled with this barrel and lock (possibly becuase the original stock was in bad condition).

Since the wheellock was quite expensive to produce and repair, its use was limited to cavalrymen's pistols and light guns, and better-quality hunting firearms affordable to the wealthy. Infantry used much simpler matchlock guns but some elite guard units were issued wheellock arquebuses like this gun, one of a series of a hundred made by Dresden gunmakers for the bodyguard on foot (Trabantenleibgarde) of the Prince Elector Christian I of Saxony (reigned 1586–91).