Property from an Important Private Collection A RARE GERMAN COMBINED HALBERD AND 80 BORE WHEEL-LOCK

Property from an Important Private Collection A RARE GERMAN COMBINED HALBERD AND 80 BORE WHEEL-LOCK PISTOL, FIRST QUARTER OF THE 17TH CENTURY with tapering double-edged terminal blade engraved with linear ornament, flowers and stamped, on one face, ~HR~, moulded at the base and fitted with a transverse axe-head (the tip of the upper prong chipped) and down-curved rear fluke, tapering socket moulded at the top and fitted with a ring for attaching to the pistol muzzle, the pistol with tapering barrel formed in two stages and retained by a slender iron band (a working replacement, the peg for fixing the head and stock later), faceted breech with a raised brass band at each end and decorated over its outer surface with a small punched design of numerous wave-shaped panels, flat lock retained by two side nails, sparsely engraved on the tail, fitted with external wheel with domed cover, safety-catch, sliding pan-cover with button release and moulded dog, fruitwood stock inlaid with engraved staghorn segmental lines surrounding staghorn plaques decorated with a bird opposite the lock, a pair of figures about the tang and further geometric designs, all enriched with delicate brass wire tendrils, staghorn pellets and engraved mother-of-pearl rondels, fitted beneath the rear of the lock with a shaped horn panel, perhaps a thumb rest (inlay with small losses and repairs), the stock extending to form the haft (shortened), fitted at the top with a turned horn collar and, in the centre, with iron baluster trigger on an engraved staghorn trigger-plate, and inlaid with four slender plaques en suite with the stock over its upper half 116.0 cm; 45 3/4 in, the pistol and haft overall Provenance The Lord Astor of Hever, sold Sotheby~s, London, 5th May 1983, lot 161