Lot 20

Description

Two-stage barrel, octagonal then round after a cut, serrated decorative line, with slightly swamped muzzle. Smooth bore in 15 mm calibre. At the breech fleur-de-lys mark struck three times and monogram "ZH" with date 1587. The base of the barrel decorated with cut band of beads. Lock with engraved and fire-gilt wheel frame, external safety lever and spring-loaded pan cover with release button. The springs of the mechanism lightly cut. Full stock of ebonised walnut wood with finely studded surfaces and inlays of engraved and blackened bone. The side of the lock and the bottom of the forestock decorated with finely cut ornaments. In front of the ball pommel a silver ferrule with finely etched tendrils, silver pommel cap with finely etched depiction of a pelican amidst tendrils. Iron trigger guard, original wooden ramrod with engraved bone tip and threaded iron sleeve. Length 61 cm.
Zacharias Herold, recorded as gunsmith in Dresden between 1586 and 1618. In 1588, he delivered muskets to the armoury and in 1590 carbines to the arsenal. He was gunsmith to the court from 1603 until 1610 and in 1618 became guild master.
Unlike the numerous puffers manufactured for enlisted men of the lifeguard, of which more than 200 specimens have been preserved, the high-quality officers‘ version was produced in small numbers. Including the specimens preserved in Dresden only about a dozen of these pistols are known to exist.
Condition:II + Questions about the lot?