Skip to main content
Rock Island Auction Company
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout us
Log InCreate Account
Rock Island Auction CompanyRock Island Auction Company
Contact us
1-309-797-15001-800-238-8022[email protected]
Locations
Bedford, TX
3600 Harwood RoadBedford, Texas 76021, USA
Rock Island, IL
7819 42nd Street WestRock Island, Illinois 61201, USA
Hours
Monday - Friday8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Navigation
AuctionsConsignmentLatestFAQAbout usAccount
More Info
Terms & ConditionsPrivacy PolicyJob postings & CareersOrder a catalogContact
Social media
© 2025 Rock Island Auction Company. RIAC believes that this website is accessible to the widest possible audience pursuant to the guidelines of the Americans with Disability Act. Click here for more information.
Healthcare Transparency in Coverage.
Disconnected
Unable to connect to live update server, attempting reconnection. If this persists, please try refreshing your browser.
Disconnected state indicated by at top of page. If you cannot see this icon, you are connected.
Rock Island Auction Company
Hello.
Please Log In, or .

Home
Auctions
Consignment
Latest
FAQ
About us

  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 262

Lot 262:Ornate 16th Century Saxon Ball Pommel Wheellock Pistols

September 11th, 2020|Rock Island, IL
  • /Auctions...
  • /Catalog...
  • /Lot 262

Lot 262:Ornate 16th Century Saxon Ball Pommel Wheellock Pistols

September 11th, 2020|Rock Island, IL
Price Realized:
Login to viewLogin to view
Price obfuscated
Estimated Price$80,000 - $150,000
Log In to use Wishlists
Share

Incredibly Rare and Highly Ornate Pair of Inlaid 16th Century Saxon Ball Pommel Wheel Lock "Puffer" Pistols

A) Saxon Wheel Lock Pistol

This fabulous pair of pistols is believed to have been part of the collection of the famous State Heritage Museum in St. Petersburg Russia which has a pair of similar pistols in its collection today (no. 6661 and 6662) from the Collection of the Arsenal on display in The New Hermitage in room 227 with similar barrels with the same markings and type of sights, very similar locks, and the same stock design. The pair was also formerly exhibited by the Metropolitan Museum of Art in their Loan Exhibition of European Arms and Armor from August 3 to September 27, 1931, and then sold as part of the famous collection of William Goodwin Renwick by Sotheby & Co. in March 1974 (lot 58). They date to the last quarter of the 16th century including known examples from the Saxon Royal Armouries in Dresden and have the classic "puffer" architecture. The fruitwood stocks have impressive inlaid staghorn designs with engraved patterns covering essentially all of the surfaces from the forend caps to the "squashed ball" pommels. The patterns have similarities to those on stocks known to be crafted by master stock maker Klaus Hirt of Wasungen and include complex intertwining scrolls with blooms and fruit, grotesque masks including disgorging masks on the sides at the ramrod entry points and either side of the barrel tangs and a whole series of manly bestial masks on the pommels, strange restrained beasts on the bottom of the forends, mermaids at the nose of the locks, nude male characters along with four dogs and two bears on the left sides (bear hunting and baiting were popular at the time), and cherub/putto designs. Even the tips of the wooden ramrods are scrimshawed staghorn and exhibit scale patterns. The smoothbore, part-octagon/part-round barrels have lightly flared muzzles with small post front sights, interesting rear tube/peep sights, line and dash engraving in the midsections, "H" (upper left) and "B" (upper right) barrel maker's initials, and antler maker's cartouches (on top). The locks have flat plates, enclosed wheels, sprung pan covers, simple line accents, and teats at the nose and tails. The lock screws traverse through the lock plates and into the pierced metal belt hooks on the left stock flats which have a circle and V design and fit very closely to the side of the stocks.

ConditionFine with gray patina and some light pitting on the metal, generally crisp markings and engraving, some small pieces absent or repaired on the stock, and general mild wear overall. Lock untested.
Details
ManufacturerSaxon
ModelWheellock
TypePistol
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge54
Barrel13 inch part octagon
Finishbright
Stockfruitwood

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views8028
Catalog page232

B) Saxon Wheellock Pistol

See "A."

ConditionFine with gray patina and light pitting on the lock and barrel, mostly crisp engraving and markings, some small pieces repaired or absent on the stock, and mild overall wear. The lock is untested. 16th century wheellock pistols are rare and valuable treasures, especially those with real artistic merit like this pair. Similar examples are contained within world leading museum collections, and this pair is certainly worthy of a fine display in any antique arms collection or art gallery. Provenance: the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, William G. Renwick, Lenoir Josey, Peter Tillou, Eric Vaule, The Legendary Collection of Robert M. Lee.
Details
ManufacturerSaxon
ModelWheellock
TypePistol
ClassAntique
Caliber / Gauge54
Barrel13 inch part octagon
Finishbright
Stockfruitwood

Item LocationRock Island, IL
Views8028
Catalog page232
Find MoreRelated Items
Lot 3314Ornate Damascened and Engraved Wheellock Pistol
View Lot
Lot 3331Ornate Wheellock Belt Pistol
View Lot
Lot 291Large German Wheellock Sporting Gun with Double Dogs
View Lot
Lot 296Pair of Adam Schnepf Wheellock Sporting Rifles
View Lot
Show More