^Lot 4314 GERMANIC WHEELLOCK PISTOL WITH BARREL MARKED

JOHANN STIFFTER. Cal. 54. S# NSN. 16-1/2" tapered octagon barrel is engraved "Johann Stiffter" (working in Prague 1670-1700) and with a unknown barrel maker's mark on top flat. Pistol size wheellock with internal spring and sliding pan cover has nicely engraved and shaped dog. Newer made stock of European walnut has flared butt and extends to muzzle with bone cap and is pinned to barrel. Stock is embellished with very nicely inlet and beautifully scrimmed bone inlays; with stands of arms on sides of grip above feather engraved steel band, a lion with ball is on left side. Flowers, wreaths and grotesque faces surrounded and accented by scrolled wire and dot inlays decorate all other surfaces. A family crest with eagle is on bone grip cap. Trigger guard is of sheet steel and has spear finial. Walnut ramrod with decorated bone tip mounts through multi-beaded pipe and simple hole as thimble. CONDITION: barrel, lock and trigger guard show considerable cleaning and polishing to bright silver with some remaining pits. Stock retains nearly all its original finish with some light marks. Inlays are very fine without any noted losses. Bore has heavy pitting toward muzzle end but is otherwise bright. Lock not tested for function. (01-26937/MGM). ANTIQUE. $10,000-20,000.