Cleveland Museum of Art

Wheel-Lock Hunting Pistol

Date

1578

Medium

steel, walnut stock with engraved stag horn; ball butt

Culture

South Germany, 16th century

Department

Medieval Art

Institution

Cleveland Museum of Art

The walnut stock of this pistol is inlaid with engraved stag horn in the form of interlacing foliage and arabesques interspersed with putti, birds, and animals—an elegant weapon befitting a noble patron. Since pistols of this type could deliver only one shot and had to be reloaded to fire the next round, they were commonly made in pairs to be worn in leather holsters. The large ball-shaped pommel on the grip made it easier to withdraw the pistol from its holster, and also served as a counterweight to a heavy steel barrel. Additionally, the pommel became a useful weapon when the firing mechanism failed or when close quarters required its use. In this time period nobles bred dogs to help them hunt boars; on the barrel of this gun, a boar is shown charging a dog.

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