Well, Raf, the mere fact that North Italian wheellocks do not have the spring-loaded push-button pan-cover release (German Drucknagel) is not per se a hint for their being the first made.
The button is generally present in Germanic wheellocks from ca. 1530-1610.
Not all German wheellocks feature that button though, and it is gone again and for good by the early 17th century.
Best,
Michael
Last edited by Matchlock; 8th December 2013 at 03:06 PM.
|