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Elaborate Late 16th Century Wheellock "Petronel" Style Weapon

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:0.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 13,000.00 USD
Elaborate Late 16th Century Wheellock  Petronel  Style Weapon
Possibly French in origin, this very straight profile wheellock weapon is of the highest quality (for the period) in workmanship. Produced with an octagonal smoothbore barrel, and fitted with a 7 1/2 inch long lock, featuring a exposed wheel, spring loaded pan cover, file work on the cockspring and engraved cock with a beast's head visible on the jaws and a man's head on the arm. Attractive dark varnished hardwood full length stock, with a brass forearm tip, brass shod ramrod head , and a burst-engraved brass collar between the octagonal wrist and the 2 1/2" long, 1 3/5" wide ball pommel. All sides of the stock show brass wire scroll inlay, with several of the lengths terminating in inlaid mother of pearl floral blooms, along with a pair of brass burst engraved screw escutcheons for the lock plate, a wrap-around brass band on the forearm and a large number of round and oval mother of pearl panels, decorated with game scenes, floral designs and men's faces, present on both the main body and the pommel. The number "20" is stamped under the stock, rear of the trigger guard (origin unknown).
BBL: 15 inch octagon
Stock: walnut
Gauge: 47
Finish: bright
Grips:
Serial Number: 20
Condition: Very fine. The steel components show a bright cleaned appearance, with light handling marks overall, pitting concentrated on the trigger guard, and a visible grain pattern on the lock. The stock is fine, with 2 cracks extending from the trigger on the underside, chips and smaller cracks in a few areas and minor pressure dents overall. The inlays are very fine, with a minimal amount of wire loss and a few cracked or chipped panels.