Miniature toy petronel info

[wheellock95]

I just acquired what I believe to be a toy petronel, dating from the 17th century but that is about everything I know about it. Does anybody know what half the 17th century this could date from judging by the shape of the pommel ? Look forward to hearing any information.

[Raf]

Congratulations on a very rare example. From the attached you can see that it once had a fully functional matchlock firing mechanism , now missing. Looking on the PAS database you will see plenty of other examples which usually have only the flash pan for manual ignition. The petronel form seems to have persisted probably into the eighteenth century but I am confident that your example is certainly early seventeenth century although you could argue the ball but makes it possibly late sixteenth century.

[wheellock95]

Wow that’s incredible. All of the other examples I have seen have the same shaped pommel as the one you pictured but I haven’t seen one with a round ball but before. late 16th century would be quite amazing

[Fernando K]

hello
I think this is a toy and for that reason, it is missing the lid of the bowl (bread)
affectionately

[wheellock95]

Yes it is a toy as I stated in the title

[wheellock95]

Originally Posted by Fernando K

hello
I think this is a toy and for that reason, it is missing the lid of the bowl (bread)
affectionately

I’m unsure what you mean by it is missing the lid of the bowl(bread)

[Raf]

Originally Posted by wheellock95

I’m unsure what you mean by it is missing the lid of the bowl(bread)

I think Fernando K may mean a lid to the flashpan. To be clear the missing matchlock mechanism is exactly the same as the example I posted. The screw for the trigger return spring is present and the two holes for mounting the mechanism can be clearly seen . In principle its the same as any European matchlock but the form seems to be unique to these toy pistols. The second image shows the more frequently found example with a fishtail but and ring and dot decoration. Early seventeenth century in form but I suspect made over a much longer period .

if anyones wondering about the strange shape of the end of the barrel on the second example this is actually the end of the ramrod which is reversed and screwed into the barrel