A Nice Pair of 'Military' Wheellock Saddle Pistols, of Suhl Type, ca. 1635-40

Matchlock · 27th April 2012, 05:15 PM

From the heyday of the Thirty Years War, retaining their original iron-capped ramrods; sold at Probus, Stockholm.
As there are minor differences, e.g. on the wheel brackets, they do not form a genuine pair but should be called 'two of some similar though different series'.

m

Matchlock · 27th April 2012, 05:29 PM

And here is what a characteristic Thirty Years War period saddle holster looked like, this fine sample preserved in virtually 'untouched' condition and retaining both its top cover lid and side bag, a wooden container (damaged) inserted, drilled for four paper cartridges.
On the bottom of that cartridge container a piece of paper was found printed with the date 1621, still containing some black powder.

m

Matchlock · 27th April 2012, 05:30 PM

One last close-up.

Matchlock · 27th April 2012, 10:36 PM

A similar Suhl marked pistol of West German type, 1640's, the ramrod tip incorrectly replaced by what seems to be bone, instead of the correct iron finial (Setzerkopf); sold Christie's.

m

Matchlock · 27th April 2012, 10:44 PM

And, for stylistic comparison, a Dutch holster pistol of the 1670's:
the plain iron butt band that was characteristic of the 1620's-40's now developed to form a complete cap with long spur reaching towards the rear end of the lock, the forestock characteristically carved, the ramrod of typical late-17th c. bulbous shape, an original iron reiforcing ring, analogous to that on the fore end of the stock, possibly missing from its tip; the trigger probably a replacement.

m

Matchlock · 28th April 2012, 04:39 PM

For more on Thirty Years War period wheellock holster pistols, icluding a perfect firing copy built by a friend of mine, see

http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/...ockpistol.html

http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/...Wheellock.html

http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/...spistole2.html

The latter link, on a ca. 1640 pistol, will not open in English I am afraid.

m

27th April 2012, 05:15 PM	#1
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A Nice Brace of 'Military' Wheellock Saddle Pistols, of Suhl Type, ca. 1635-40 From the heyday of the Thirty Years War, retaining their original iron-capped ramrods; sold at Probus, Stockholm. As there are minor differences, e.g. on the wheel brackets, they do not form a genuine pair but should be called 'two of some similar though different series'. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 27th April 2012 at 09:35 PM.

27th April 2012, 05:29 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And here is what a characteristic Thirty Years War period saddle holster looked like, this fine sample preserved in virtually 'untouched' condition and retaining both its top cover lid and side bag, a wooden container (damaged) inserted, drilled for four paper cartridges. On the bottom of that cartridge container a piece of paper was found printed with the date 1621, still containing some black powder. m Attached Images

27th April 2012, 05:30 PM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	One last close-up. Attached Images

27th April 2012, 10:36 PM	#4
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	A similar Suhl marked pistol of West German type, 1640's, the ramrod tip incorrectly replaced by what seems to be bone, instead of the correct iron finial (Setzerkopf); sold Christie's. m Attached Images

27th April 2012, 10:44 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	And, for stylistic comparison, a Dutch holster pistol of the 1670's: the plain iron butt band that was characteristic of the 1620's-40's now developed to form a complete cap with long spur reaching towards the rear end of the lock, the forestock characteristically carved, the ramrod of typical late-17th c. bulbous shape, an original iron reiforcing ring, analogous to that on the fore end of the stock, possibly missing from its tip; the trigger probably a replacement. m Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 28th April 2012 at 08:41 PM.

28th April 2012, 04:39 PM	#6
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	For more on Thirty Years War period wheellock holster pistols, icluding a perfect firing copy built by a friend of mine, see http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/...ockpistol.html http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/...Wheellock.html http://www.engerisser.de/Bewaffnung/...spistole2.html The latter link, on a ca. 1640 pistol, will not open in English I am afraid. m