{"product_id":"original-18th-century-italian-silver-mounted-flintlock-pistol-with-carved-flamed-stock-grotesque-mask-butt-cap-and-perforated-side-plate-circa-1780","title":"Original 18th Century Italian Silver-Mounted Flintlock Pistol with Carved Flamed Stock, Grotesque Mask Butt Cap, and Perforated Side Plate - Circa 1780","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an impressive 18th-century Italian pistol featuring a highly figured and extensively carved stock with elaborate silver furniture, the trigger guard being the notable exception. The most striking feature is the long-eared silver butt cap, which terminates in a finely detailed grotesque mask. Additional decoration includes an elegant pierced foliate side plate and an ornate escutcheon set into the back of the grip.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pistol is fitted with a 14 1\/4\" barrel and measures 21\" in overall length. The barrel transitions from an octagonal section near the breech to a round profile farther forward. Extensive engraved decoration appears to have originally covered the breech area, although much of this detail is now faint from age, use, and past cleaning. A worn maker’s mark is also visible on the top of the barrel, but unfortunately it is now too faint for us to read.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe stock is made from beautifully figured wood that displays rich grain patterns and strong chatoyancy as it moves in the light. Carved floral decoration is present along the forestock and around the barrel tang, while raised carved borders accent many of the fittings. These details complement the elaborate silver furniture and demonstrate the considerable attention given to both the form and decoration of the pistol.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nose cap is made from carved bone. The pistol is accompanied by a wooden ramrod with a bone tip and an iron clearing worm at the opposite end. Its construction and fit appear consistent with the pistol, and we believe it is original to the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe checked the lock mechanism and found that it functions, although it will not hold at the half-cock position. No further mechanical testing was performed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly attractive example of 18th-century Italian gunmaking, combining a highly figured and extensively carved stock with elaborate silver furniture and numerous individually executed decorative details. The long-eared grotesque mask butt cap, pierced foliate side plate, ornate grip escutcheon, carved bone nose cap, and apparently original bone-tipped ramrod give the pistol substantial visual and collector interest. Although age, use, and past cleaning have softened much of the barrel engraving and rendered the maker’s mark illegible, enough detail survives to convey the quality and richness of its original decoration. Its substantial proportions and unusually elaborate construction make it an impressive surviving example of the Italian gunmaker’s art.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecifications:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYears of Manufacture: Circa 1780\u003cbr\u003eCaliber: approx. .68 inches\u003cbr\u003eAmmunition Type: Lead Ball \u0026amp; Powder\u003cbr\u003eBarrel Length: 14 1\/4 inches\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eOverall Length: 21 inches\u003cbr\u003eAction: Flintlock Side Action.\u003cbr\u003eFeed System: Muzzle-Loaded\u003cbr\u003eFederal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45356160843845,"sku":"ONAC261030","price":4995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONAC261030.jpg?v=1784145504","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-18th-century-italian-silver-mounted-flintlock-pistol-with-carved-flamed-stock-grotesque-mask-butt-cap-and-perforated-side-plate-circa-1780","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}