Fine High Art Long Brass Mounted Tusco-Emilian Snaphaunce Holster Pistol Circa 1735

An Extremely Fine High Art Long Brass Mounted Tusco-Emilian Snaphaunce Holster Pistol Circa 1735.

12 and 3/4 inch masterfully forged barrel faceted for the front half of its length and finely fluted at the breech boldly stamped “LAZZARI COMINAZ”. 46 caliber. Raised breech.

The rounded lock superbly chiseled in relief with helmeted Roman warrior at tail. The swan neck cock finely engraved held by a relief chiseled noble portrait head in place of a screw. The frizzen chiseled in the round in the form of a bare breasted woman holding up the battery, the whole retained by yet another relief chiseled portrait head in place of a screw.

The sliding pan featured a relief chiseled head. Full cast, engraved and well chased brass mounts. The triggerguard with relief monstrous face, the spurred buttcap with two further portraits and a monstrous face as the pommel cap recapitulating the face on the triggerguard, Sideplate fully engraved with portrait and a serpent. Original long well formed steel belt hook. Large brass mount behind breech tang engraved with a standing Italian nobleman brandishing a storta (sword).

A further large brass mount decorates the rear of the ramrod thimble with a portrait. The ramrod thimbles well turned. Superbly figured striped walnut fullstock of the finest quality. Pistol even retains its original brass tipped ramrod with steel worm. Barrel with elegant brass attached “cannon” muzzle.

Excellent original condition throughout with none of the usual repairs. Action is strong and bore is fine. 19 inches overall. A true “High Art” Italian snaphaunce pistol in remarkable state of preservation. As good as one gets under five figures!