Italian matchlock rifle [Archive] - Ethnographic Arms & Armour

Marcus den toom

18th December 2013, 03:40 PM

This Italian (?) matchlock rifle was sold quit recently but slipped trough my fingers. :(
Still a very nice piece to share with all of you.

When looking at Michaels matchlock chronology i think it was made around 1570.

http://i43.tinypic.com/2r5udrd.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/25rk2e0.jpg
http://i39.tinypic.com/2woj78j.jpg
http://i43.tinypic.com/21jaozs.jpg
http://i40.tinypic.com/2qw0xvl.jpg

Matchlock

18th December 2013, 04:21 PM

Hi Marcus,

Congratulations, ca. 1550-70 would seem perfectly alright for dating this, but it is a normal musket with a petronel butt, not a rifle as I bet that the barrel was not rifled (!).
Especially as the lock screws still enter from the right-hand side this gun seems to be relatively early.
Calling it a matchlock petronel, ca. 1550's, Northern Italy, most probably Val Gardone/Brescia, would be ideal as a description.

What more can I say? The fact is remarkable that the tubular backsight is chiseled and figured as a bearded face looking towards the muzzle! This is a feature often found on muskets of ca. 1550-80.
The barrel tang is still screwed to the stock with a wood screw that enters from above, which is another early criterion.
The top of the pivoted pan cover, which, together with the fire shield, is still riveted instead of held by a screw as on later samples, is stamped in imitation of an ancient Roman coin with an emperor's portrait - remember that Renaissance means the rebirth of Ancient Greek and Roman Times!
And: yes, the length of matchcord obviously is original!

Again I must ask what Italian sale it is from as I did not notice it in any catalog. I would also like to learn more on the coat-of-arms.

Thanks for posting, and best,
Michael