Antique miniature wheellock pistol ?
 

I’ve recently acquired what looks to be a period late 16th/ early 17th century ball butt miniature wheellock, it’s stock is made of burl walnut and I was just wondering what your opinions on it are as I’m not an expert and just wanted to know if you think it is authentic for the time period.

I know this miniature since a very long time and I would have bought it when I would have been sure that it is an original................

How long have you known about this miniature and do you still think it is original ?

As I wrote, I am not sure

Are there any ways of determining The authenticity of the piece as I know it can be difficult by looking only at photographs

A good help is to check the threads of the screws, they should not be the same as those in use today

See that’s what I thought but I’m afraid to unscrew any in case of any unnecessary damage but I’ve inspected the heads of the screws and they don’t look machine made but hand made and an in uneven recess on the head

Hello

Precisely, the recommendation given by Corrado can be done with the screw that closes the jaws of the pyrite holder, or the lock can be separated from the box without damage. Precisely, the counterfeits are made by hand, and the screws (and other pieces) show irregularities made to deceive, You could take a picture of the inside of the lock, and we will have

more arguments

Affect

Now that I look more closely, I see that the screw that closes the jaws is barely enough to keep these jaws closed, without pyrite. When taking a pyrite, its travel is not enough.

Affectionately

Here’s a picture of the screw that holds the dog in place

Hello

With the photo we do nothing, You have to use a thread gauge, to know if it is metric or whitwort and the diameter of the screw, and see if it matches any of the standardized types.

Affectionately

I will check, but overall what is your opinion based on the appearance of the miniature and without being able to see it in person do you think it could be period ?

Hello

I would like to see a picture of the inside of the lock. I notice a series of screws on the plate, which do not correspond to the typical construction.

Here is the lock

Can you also trim the picture of that screw, as to obtain a bigger image of it ?


And by the way...
You may find it interesting to keep to your files these notes on VERY EARLY SCREWS ;) .

I have tried cropping the image of the screw however when I do that the file size is too large and it won’t let me change it so I can only change the original photo file size and it’s the largest option

If you wish you can send me the original full size photos; i will see what i can do.
fernando@vikingsword.com

Hello

It seems to be fully functional, although the pan lid lacks a spring that holds it in place, it has a single catch, when the bigger guys had two, and so the subject of the shot is different. It also differs in the fixing of some parts by forging and riveting., But it is very difficult to establish a manufacturing date, which must be done by comparing it with existing specimens.

Affectionately

I know it’s difficult but it definitely appears old to me and the stock inside really does seem very of years old as well

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=pyrite

Hello

I suppose you've already frequented it, but just in case I sent it

Affectionately

Yes I’ve seen that and thanks for all the advice