These pistols are remarkable for the chiseled and gilt decoration of the barrels and locks, for the distinctive figural and floral inlay on the stocks, which is copied in part from ornament engravings by Etienne Delaune (1518/19–1583), and for the use of red paint to highlight the stock decoration. The survival of the matching priming flask is also exceptional for a pistol from this early date.
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Dimensions:Cal. of each pistol, .44 in (11.18 mm); Wt. of 14.25.1433a: 4 lb. 2 oz. (1871 g); Wt. of 14.25.1433b: 4 lb. (1814 g); L. of each pistol, 20 1/8 in. (51.1 cm); L. of priming flask/spanner, 5 7/8 in. (14.91 cm)
Classification:Firearms-Pistols-Wheellock
Credit Line:Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913
Accession Number:14.25.1433a, b; .1523
William H. Riggs, Paris (until 1913; his gift to MMA).
Paris. Palais du Trocadéro. "Exposition Universelle de 1878: L'Exposition Historique du Trocadéro," May 1–October 31, 1878.
Paris. Palais de la Guerre, Les Invalides. "Exposition Universelle Internationale de 1889: Les Anciennes Armées Françaises: Exposition Rétrospective Militaire du Ministère de la Guerre en 1889," May 6–October 31, 1889.
Paris. Palais des Armées de Terre et de Mer. "Exposition Universelle Internationale de 1900," April 14–November 12, 1900 (14.25.1433a, b).
Hôtel, rue Tronchet, Charles Pillet, and Eugène Escribe. Catalogue des Objets d'Art et de Haute Curiosité, Antiques du Moyen Age et de la Renaissance, Catalogue D'Armes Anciennes Occidentales & Orientales. Paris: Hôtel, rue Tronchet, March 8, 1865. nos. 2155–56.
Bréban, Philibert. Livret-Guide du Visiteur à l'Exposition Historique du Trocadéro, edited by E. Dentu. Paris, 1878. p. 75.
Thoumas, Charles-Antoine. Exposition Rétrospective Militaire du Ministère de la Guerre en 1889. Paris: H. Launette et Cie., G. Boudet successeur, 1890. pl. opp. p. 46, ill.
Orville, E. Exposition Universelle Internationale de 1900. Groupe XVIII : Armées de Terre et de Mer. Notice Sur Les Armes et Armures Anciennes Figurant à L'Exposition Rétrospective Militaire. Paris: Berger-Levrault, Paris, Nancy, Strasbourg, 1900. p. 23 (14.25.1433a, b).
Scofield, J.K., J. F. Hayward, James G. Mann, and C.G.E. Bunt. "Old Firearms in America." The Connoisseur 108 p. 8, figs. 2–2a (14.25.1433a, b).
Lenk, T. "Da Franska Hjullåsvapnen." Vaabenhistoriske Aarboger (1943), p. 9, fig. 1 (14.25.1433a, b).
Grancsay, Stephen V. "The New Galleries of European Arms and Armor." The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin (May 1956), p. 235, ill.
Lenk, Torsten. "Two French Wheel-lock Guns." The Journal of the Arms and Armour Society (1957), pp. 113–114 (14.25.1433a, b).
Hayward, J. F. The Art of the Gunmaker. Vol. 1. 1500–1660. London: Barrie and Rockliff, 1962. p. 284, pls. 16a, b (14.25.1433a, b).
Amber, John T. Gun Digest, 19th edition. 19th ed. Chicago: The Gun Digest Co., 1965. p. 1, cover ill.
Blair, Claude. Pistols of the World. London: Batsford, 1968. p. 91, pl. 57–59 (14.25.1433a, b).
Kennard, A. N. French Pistols and Sporting Guns (1972), p. 12 and dust jacket, ill.
Lenk, Torsten, Blanche Byrne, Jane Clark, Charles R. Beard, Leslie Southwick, Ian Eaves, John F. Hayward, Gordon T. Howard, and Walter J. Karcheski. The Journal of the Arms and Armour Society (1979).
Byck, John. "Firearms in The Metropolitan Museum of Art." Arsenals of History: Firearms and Museums in the 21st Century (2018), p. 46, fig. 4 (14.25.1433a).
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