High Art Gilt Bronze Mounted Rifled Continental Flintlock Holster Pistol Circa 1745

A Remarkable High Art Gilt Bronze Mounted Rifled Continental Flintlock Holster Pistol With Gilded Steel Lockplate And Hammer Circa 1745.

9 and 3/8th inch round barrel with ‘wedding ring’, ringed cannon muzzle and brass fore-sight. Deeply rifled 60 caliber bore. Early unbridled flat lock plate Damascened throughout with intricate scrolls. The swan neck cock decorated ensuite secured with a relief cast and chased silver mask. Finely molded frizzen and faceted pan. Lovely fire gilt mounts, the sideplate cast and chased in relief with Romanesque figures in combat, one in a chariot. The fire gilt triggerguard cast and chased in relief with Perseus seated holding the head of Medusa. The fire gilt buttplate cast and chased in high relief with a trophy of arms above a large mythical monster face. Gilt thumb piece cast and chased with a royal bust below a royal crown.

Highly figured and well carved walnut fullstock. Original horn tipped ramrod with steel worm. Mounts retain much original gilding. Lock and cock with all original Damascene decoration. Multigroove rifled bore is fine, Action is crisp on both half and full cock.

Lead collection tag “MBR” guarantees that this lovely flintlock pistol is from the private collection of legendary collector and dealer Martin B. Retting. 16 inches overall.