^Lot 5393 FINE RELIEF CHASED ITALIAN SNAPHAUNCE BELT PISTOL.

Cal. 40. NSN. The 14" half octagon, half round barrel is unmarked. Round bodied lock is fitted with well filed serpentine cock, inset rounded pan with sliding cover and snaphaunce frizzen filed with decorative scrolls. File decorated feather spring has small foliate finial. Body of lock and cock are engraved with open scroll. Head of cock mounting bolt is relief carved with grotesque face. Scrolls on frizzen are also relief filed. Fruitwood stock with long knob grip has mouldings around major elements and relief scrolls around thimble. Steel mounts include long spured grip cap with grotesque face on bottom, trigger guard with foliate decoration, superb multi-pierced and scrolling sideplate is decorated with grotesque faces and sea monsters. A 5" steel belt hook is installed. A pierced steel crest plate is at top of grip. Replacement ramrod is held by early style multi-turned pipe and matching thimble. CONDITION: fair to good. Metal cleaned to pewter gray. Engraving remains clear. Stock with old refinish has many cracks at top of grip. Front 7" of barrel channel replaced. Bore is rusted. Mechanically good. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Nicholas Apergis. (01-27554/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,200-2,000.