Engraved butt-cap with chiseled grotesque mask. Three stage iron barrel, signed Guglielmo Meuroni with worn gold decorated wedding-band partitions and light engraving at breech. In very fine condition. Small filled repair at lockplate and another small repair at forestock. Northern Italian, Florentine Snaphance Belt Pistol of early form with bolster in front of the frizzen and internally operated movable flash pan.
Unidentifiable makers mark with shield on left side of breech.
Unsigned lock with sculpted hammer, frizzen, hammer screw and bolster with movable flash pan activated by the fall of the hammer. Original Sculpted fullstock of nicely figured croch-grain burl walnut with relief carving around hardware and along forestock. Brass hardware embossed throughout and engraved with floral finials. Pierced openwork brass sideplate with stylized eagle head motif and wrist escutcheon with crown and shield. Original steel belt hook with sculpted floral finial.