Very few Dutch ivory stocked pistols have wheellocks; the great majority are equipped with flintlocks. This pair also appears to be among the earliest known wheellock examples.
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Overall view, obverse and reverse
Detail of lock
Detail of carved head on butt of pistol stock
Detail, underside of forestock
Detail of carved head on butt of pistol stock
Detail of carved head on butt of pistol stock in profile
Detail, barrel tang and escutcheon area of pistol grip
Detail of back of butt of pistol stock
Detail of barrel tang and escutcheon area of pistol grip
Artwork Details
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Title:Pair of Wheellock Pistols
Date:ca. 1655–65
Geography:Maastricht
Culture:Dutch, Maastricht
Medium:Steel, brass, gold, ivory
Dimensions:L. of 14.25.1432a: 22 1/2 in. (57.2 cm); L. of 14.25.1432b: 22 3/4 in. (57.8 cm); L. of each barrel 14 7/8 in. (37.8 cm); Cal. of each barrel .53 in. (13.5 mm); Wt. of each 2 lb. 3 oz. (992 g)
Classification:Firearms
Credit Line:Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Object Number:14.25.1432a, b
Inscription: Inscribed on each lock: MAESTRICHT.
Prince Peter Soltykoff, Paris (until 1854; his sale, "Armes et Armures Européennes de XVe et XVIe siècles," Hôtel Drouot, Paris, April 18–22, 1854, no. 266, for Fr. 600, to Riggs); William H. Riggs, Paris (1854–1913; his gift to MMA).
Paris. Palais du Trocadéro. "Exposition Universelle de 1878: L'Exposition Historique du Trocadéro," May 1–October 31, 1878.
Seattle, Wash. Seattle Art Museum. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," March 11, 1982–June 6, 1982, no. 101 (14.25.1432a).
Denver, Colo. Denver Art Museum. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," July 18–October 10, 1982, no. 101 (14.25.1432a).
San Antonio, Tex. Witte Museum of the San Antonio Museum Association. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," November 13, 1982–February 5, 1983, no. 101 (14.25.1432a).
Minneapolis, Minn. Minneapolis Institute of Arts. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," May 24–July 31, 1983, no. 101 (14.25.1432a).
San Francisco. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," November 5, 1983–January 28, 1984, no. 101 (14.25.1432a).
Detroit, Mich. Detroit Institute of Arts. "The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from The Metropolitan Museum of Art," April 4–June 17, 1984, no. 101 (14.25.1432a).
New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Incisive Images: Ivory and Boxwood Carvings, 1450–1800," March 13–November 25, 2007.
Anonymous. Catalogue d'une... collection d'armes et armures européennes des XVe et XVIe siècles. Paris: Hôtel Drouot, 1854.
Bréban, Philibert. Livret-Guide du Visiteur à l'Exposition Historique du Trocadéro, edited by E. Dentu. Paris, 1878. p. 74.
Ilgner, Emil. "Maastrichter Elfenbeinpistolen." Zeitschrift für Historische Waffen– und Kostümkunde, Zeitschrift für Historische Waffen- und Kostümkunde, 12, n.s.v. 3 p. 212, fig. 13, ill.
Scofield, J.K., J. F. Hayward, James G. Mann, and C.G.E. Bunt. "Old Firearms in America." The Connoisseur 108 p. 10, fig. 7.
Peterson, Harold L. The Treasury of the Gun. New York: Golden Press, 1962. p. 67, fig. 5 (ill. 14.25.1432 B).
Thomas, Bruno, Ortwin Gamber, and Hans Schedelmann. Die schönsten Waffen und Rüstungen aus europäischen und amerikanischen Sammlungen. Heidelberg; Munich: Keysersche Verlagsbuchhandlung, 1963. no. 82, ill.
Lindsay, Merrill, Bruce Pendleton, Verne Noll, and Peter Parnall. One Hundred Great Guns: An Illustrated History of Firearms. New York: Walker and Company, 1967. p. 212.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Helmut Nickel, Stuart W. Pyhrr, Leonid Tarassuk, and American Federation of Arts. The Art of Chivalry: European Arms and Armor from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: An Exhibition. New York: The Federation, 1982. pp. 152–53, no. 101, ill.
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