Thomas Del Mar - Armour Sale

417417A PAIR OF BRESCIAN FLINTLOCK HOLSTER PISTOLS BYPICI FRUSCA, BRESCIA, LATE 17TH CENTURYwith tapering three-stage barrels stamped ‘LazarinoCominazzo’ over the breeches, rounded locks signed ‘PiciFrusca Ba’ and chiselled with leafy ornament in relief on thetails, each stamped ‘I’ on the inside, the cock retainingscrews and steels chiselled en suite, figured walnut fullstocks carved with scrolls over the fore-ends, applied withnumerous steel plaques finely pierced and engraved withfoliage, comprising a demon mask issuant with foliageabout the barrel tang, further issuant masks on each side ofthe pommel and another mask ahead of the trigger-guard,steel mounts, comprising side-plates pierced and engravedwith scrolling foliage, fruit and a grotesque mask, triggerguardschiselled with leafy tendrils inhabited by a serpentand with finials pierced en suite, spurred pommelschiselled with beaded borders surrounding tightly scrollingfoliage, flowers and fruit inhabited by serpents, a pair oframrod-pipes chiselled with acanthus, pierced steel foreendcaps, and each with its original steel-tipped woodenramrod (the stocks with repairs, the steel parts with areasof wear)These pistols have been shortened during their earlyworking life. It would appear that a German gunsmithreplaced the fore-ends, probably at the same time. Twomakers of this name are recorded, the older Picin Frusca ismentioned circa 1684 and was known, in his lifetime, as askilled lockmaker. He is supposed to have perfected themanufacture of the flintlock system though there is no firmbasis for this. The younger, probably his grandson, ismentioned proving military firearms and as a directproducer and supplier of flintlocks to the Venetiangovernment in 1721 and 1725. See N.di Carpegna 1997,p.176.£3000-4000176