Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original late 18th century Italian snaphaunce pistol dating to approximately 1780, featuring an extensively decorated lock, relief carved stock, embossed and engraved brass furniture, and multiple grotesque mask motifs. The pistol measures approximately 9 1/2" overall and has a 5 1/4" two stage barrel of approximately .37 caliber. No identifiable maker marking is presently visible.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The centerpiece of the pistol is its finely made snaphaunce lock. The steel is decoratively molded with a bird's head form at the front, while the lock incorporates a grotesque mask hammer screw, mermaid engraving beneath the flash pan, and additional acanthus leaf ornamentation.

The snaphaunce mechanism differs from the later true flintlock in that the pan cover and steel are separate components. On this example, the steel holds the pan cover closed, while the internal lockwork opens the cover as the mechanism operates.

The lock currently functions, but no half cock position is present during operation. It is uncertain whether this reflects the original lock design, wear or alteration to the mechanism, or a missing function, so no definitive conclusion is made. These observations describe only the pistol’s present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that it is safe to load or fire.

The barrel measures approximately:

5 1/4" long
Approximately .37" caliber

with an overall pistol length of approximately:

9 1/2"

The barrel has an unusual multi-stage profile. The forward section is round, transitioning to a 16 sided section and then to an octagonal breech. An unidentified marking is present on the left side of the barrel breech, but it cannot presently be interpreted with confidence.

The pistol is fitted with richly decorated brass furniture. The mounts are embossed and further enhanced with hand engraved detail. A pierced brass escutcheon is set into the wrist, while the eared butt cap carries additional acanthus engraving and a smaller grotesque mask at the pommel.

The stock appears to be European walnut and remains in very good condition. Relief carved outline panels surround the principal furniture, with additional foliate carving forming an apron around the barrel tang.

An original appearing wooden ramrod remains beneath the barrel and is fitted with a horn tip and a clearing worm at the opposite end.

Overall condition is very good, with no major cracks or structural damage noted in the stock. The pistol shows normal age and handling wear while retaining strong definition to the carved stock, engraved brass furniture, and distinctive snaphaunce lock decoration.

With its elaborate snaphaunce lock, bird's head steel, mermaid engraving, grotesque mask decorations, multi-stage barrel, carved walnut stock, pierced wrist escutcheon, and original appearing horn tipped ramrod, this is an especially decorative example of late 18th century Italian pistol making. The unidentified barrel marking and uncertain absence of a half cock position are fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Italian arms, snaphaunce, 18th century pistol, or advanced European firearms collection.

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1780
Caliber: approx. .37inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 5 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 9 1/2 inches
Action: Snaphaunce Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

History of the Snaphaunce Lock:
A snaphance or snaphaunce is a type of lock for firing a gun or is a gun using that mechanism. The name is Dutch in origin but the mechanism can not be attributed to the Netherlands with certainty. It is the mechanical progression of the wheellock firing mechanism, and along with the miquelet lock and doglock are predecessors of the flintlock mechanism. It fires from a flint struck against a striker plate above a steel pan to ignite the priming powder which fires the gun. It has a separate cover for the flash pan, unlike the flintlock, which combines the striker and pan cover into a single piece, known as the frizzen. Examples of this firearm can be found through Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.

NOTE: 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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.