Italian matchlock rifle

Marcus den toom · 18th December 2013, 03:40 PM

This Italian (?) matchlock rifle was sold quit recently but slipped trough my fingers.

Still a very nice piece to share with all of you.

When looking at Michaels matchlock chronology i think it was made around 1570.

Matchlock · 18th December 2013, 04:21 PM

Hi Marcus,

Congratulations, ca. 1550-70 would seem perfectly alright for dating this, but it is a normal musket with a petronel butt, not a rifle as I bet that the barrel was not rifled (!).
Especially as the lock screws still enter from the right-hand side this gun seems to be relatively early.
Calling it a matchlock petronel, ca. 1550's, Northern Italy, most probably Val Gardone/Brescia, would be ideal as a description.

What more can I say? The fact is remarkable that the tubular backsight is chiseled and figured as a bearded face looking towards the muzzle! This is a feature often found on muskets of ca. 1550-80.
The barrel tang is still screwed to the stock with a wood screw that enters from above, which is another early criterion.
The top of the pivoted pan cover, which, together with the fire shield, is still riveted instead of held by a screw as on later samples, is stamped in imitation of an ancient Roman coin with an emperor's portrait - remember that Renaissance means the rebirth of Ancient Greek and Roman Times!
And: yes, the length of matchcord obviously is original!

Again I must ask what Italian sale it is from as I did not notice it in any catalog. I would also like to learn more on the coat-of-arms.

Thanks for posting, and best,
Michael

Matchlock · 15th April 2014, 11:43 AM

For other, similar but German, matchlock petronels see
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...223#post169223

m

18th December 2013, 03:40 PM	#1
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 525	Italian matchlock petronel This Italian (?) matchlock rifle was sold quit recently but slipped trough my fingers. Still a very nice piece to share with all of you. When looking at Michaels matchlock chronology i think it was made around 1570. Last edited by Marcus den toom; 19th December 2013 at 11:04 AM.

18th December 2013, 04:21 PM	#2
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	Hi Marcus, Congratulations, ca. 1550-70 would seem perfectly alright for dating this, but it is a normal musket with a petronel butt, not a rifle as I bet that the barrel was not rifled (!). Especially as the lock screws still enter from the right-hand side this gun seems to be relatively early. Calling it a matchlock petronel, ca. 1550's, Northern Italy, most probably Val Gardone/Brescia, would be ideal as a description. What more can I say? The fact is remarkable that the tubular backsight is chiseled and figured as a bearded face looking towards the muzzle! This is a feature often found on muskets of ca. 1550-80. The barrel tang is still screwed to the stock with a wood screw that enters from above, which is another early criterion. The top of the pivoted pan cover, which, together with the fire shield, is still riveted instead of held by a screw as on later samples, is stamped in imitation of an ancient Roman coin with an emperor's portrait - remember that Renaissance means the rebirth of Ancient Greek and Roman Times! And: yes, the length of matchcord obviously is original! Again I must ask what Italian sale it is from as I did not notice it in any catalog. I would also like to learn more on the coat-of-arms. Thanks for posting, and best, Michael Attached Images Last edited by Matchlock; 19th December 2013 at 03:38 PM.

15th April 2014, 11:43 AM	#3
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	For other, similar but German, matchlock petronels see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...223#post169223 m