Flintlock Pistol
Bohemian, Carlsbad (now Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic)
Not on view
The barrel is round, with a narrow sighting facet along the top and a silver fore sight at the muzzle; on each side of the breech is a flat facet. The breech is decorated with the figure of a standing Roman warrior amid trophies, shells, and scrolls, all chiseled in relief against a matted gold background.
The flintlock of conventional French type is chiseled with trophies, scrolls, and foliation against a partly gilt background. The walnut stock is profusely decorated with carved foliation and rococo scrolls; the tips of the forestock and of the ramrod are of bone.
The trigger guard and mounts are of cast silver, chiseled with classical figured motifs in rococo frames against a gilt background. On the rear branch of the trigger guard are scratched four letters; VKBI (probably an owner's initials). This pistol exhibits many of the same qualities as a flintlock gun also in the Metropolitan Museum's collection (acc. no. 10.99), and, though unmarked, is also tentatively attributed to a Carlsbad workshop.
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