06 „Alla florentina lock“ Pistol, Italy, c. 1785

Fotogalerie

Short pistols with „alla florentina lock“ and this style of decoration were made in central Italy in the 18th century. This type of lock differs from the most common French flintlock, mainly in that the frizzen and the pan cover are separate parts. The pan cover automatically slides off when the cock is released, similarly to wheellocks.

The iron fixtures and the lock, richly decorated with carved floral ornaments, male and female busts, and other motifs, are typical for the gunsmiths of Anghiari, Tuscany, at the end of the 18^th century. However, this style had been used several decades earlier by the gunsmiths of Brento. These guns are sometimes marked and dated on the lock plate inside; in this case, only the letter G with an asterisk is visible (perhaps a gunsmith of the Guardiani family?).

A cylindrical barrel, turning octagonal behind the central ring, with a smooth bore, 12 mm calibre. The barrel is decorated with carved floral ornaments above the chamber. The Florentine flintlock is decorated all along with a carved relief of floral ornamentation, mascarons, and a human bust. Full-stock, a walnut stock decorated with carvings throughout. Iron fittings, richly decorated in the same style as the lock.

Overall length 310 mm, barrel length 190 mm, 12 mm calibre, weight 518 g.