Pair of Flintlock Pistols
The barrels are round, with a flat longitudinal sighting facet and a large facet on each side of the breech. The rear sight on the barrel tang is of chiseled steel, the front sight is of brass. The breech is decorated with chiseled moldings and is lightly engraved with floral motifs. On the sighting face, the maker's signature is inscribed: GEORG KEISER IN WIENN.
The lock are chiseled and engraved with foliate and linear motifs; on the lock plates, a girl picks flowers and winds a wreath, and Cupid waters a garden and holds a bouquet. The same signature that is on the barrels is found under the pan.
The stocks are rosewood, with carved foliation in the center and around the barrel tang; the forestock tip is of black horn. The mounts are of cast brass, chiseled and engraved with stylized foliate designs. Impressed into each grip is the number 1689, presumably a nineteenth-century Dresden inventory number.
George Keiser became a master-gunmaker in 1674 (Støckel, p. 615). He was the outstanding master of the Vienna school, working for the imperial court for more than half a century. This pair of pistols, of robust construction and simple finish and decoration, is typical of the kind commonly carried in saddle holsters by officers and gentlemen on horseback throughout most of the eighteenth century.
The lock are chiseled and engraved with foliate and linear motifs; on the lock plates, a girl picks flowers and winds a wreath, and Cupid waters a garden and holds a bouquet. The same signature that is on the barrels is found under the pan.
The stocks are rosewood, with carved foliation in the center and around the barrel tang; the forestock tip is of black horn. The mounts are of cast brass, chiseled and engraved with stylized foliate designs. Impressed into each grip is the number 1689, presumably a nineteenth-century Dresden inventory number.
George Keiser became a master-gunmaker in 1674 (Støckel, p. 615). He was the outstanding master of the Vienna school, working for the imperial court for more than half a century. This pair of pistols, of robust construction and simple finish and decoration, is typical of the kind commonly carried in saddle holsters by officers and gentlemen on horseback throughout most of the eighteenth century.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pair of Flintlock Pistols
- Gunsmith: Georg Keiser (Austrian, Eger 1647–ca. 1740 Vienna)
- Date: ca. 1710–20
- Culture: Austrian, Vienna
- Medium: Wood (rosewood), steel, brass, horn
- Dimensions: 28.100.12; L. 22 3/4 in. (57.8 cm); L. of barrel 16 in. (40.6 cm); Cal. .65 in. (16.5 mm); Wt. 2 lb. 9 oz. (1162.3 g); 28.100.13; L. 22 7/8 in. (58.1 cm); L. of barrel 16 in. (40.6 cm); Cal. .65 in. (16.5 mm); Wt. 2 lb. 8.2 oz. (1139.7 g)
- Classification: Firearms-Pistols-Flintlock
- Credit Line: Gift of Prince Albrecht Radziwill, by exchange, 1928
- Object Number: 28.100.12, .13
- Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Georg Keiser
ca. 1720
Jacques Lamarre
ca. 1670–73
Multiple artists/makers
dated 1735
Johann Andreas Kuchenreuter
ca. 1760–70
Gabriel de Algora
ca. 1735–40
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.