Wheel-Lock Spanners ca. 1520-1620

[ward]

Interesting. Would it be possible to see a full pic of that piece.

[Matchlock]

Here they are: the early Italian combined pin hammer, fire striker, pyrites hammer and screw driver, ca. 1550 (left), together with a simpler oriental form, probably Albania or Afghanistan, 18th-19th centuries.

The same decorative structure as on my mid 16th century Italian hammer is reflected by the world famous papal hammer, Rome, with which the the door of St. Peter's Cathedral was solemnly and ritualitstically opened in The Holy Year 1550. I attach a picture; please note that the wooden handle is a later replacement.

Michael

[ward]

So determining the Italian 16th century is done by what file work,brass inlay,workmanship ? I am looking for specifics I would normally call your piece afghan but realize they copied from other cultures and so I am looking for the differences.

[Matchlock]

An exact determination is extremely hard to accomplish. All I can say is that in general, the closer the form, staging and decoration of the hammer to both the papal hammer and the quillon ends of Cornelis's sword the higher the probability that it may be Italian and early.
Remember that Italy lies close to oriental neighbors and their styles intertwined very easily and quickly.
The second from right tool on your image seems to come pretty close to my earliest piece.

Michael

[Matchlock]

The hilt ca. 1550, the dussack blade somewhat later.

Michael

[Matchlock]

Still shaped like the Late-Gothic and Early Renaissance powder horns of natural cattle horn, which came into use again in the 18th century, especially in the U.S. The movable spanner with two different pinion squares, for the different diameters of wheel axes and tightening screws of dog jaws holding the pyrites; also combined with a screwdriver. Two rings for a suspension cord.

Northern Italy, ca. 1560, made for an arquebusier. In my collection.

Of wrought iron throughout, engraved with floral motives and a unique pattern in imitation of stitches of a seam, as they were used on early 16th c. textile covered flasks; here, this originally functional element has become mere decoration. Preserved in fine original condition troughout, retaining almost all of its blued finish.

Fitted with a long belt hook, the powder nozzle to be closed by a wooden stop plug, and with a spring-loaded cut-off lever an the top mount; the top mount lid bearing the nozzle hinged for refills.

I have documented only about a handful of surviving flasks of this kind, some of them preserved in famous collections.

Best,
Michael

[Matchlock]

The remaining photos.