Peter Meesen of Utrecht is listed in "Der Neue Stockel" as active c. 1660. A pair of wheellock pistols with the same pommel profile as these pistols are featured in the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam, and other rare and advanced pistols by him are also known in limited numbers. The two-stage smoothbore barrels are in over/under configuration and are fitted with iron ramrods to the right sides. The lower barrel tangs also double as the trigger plates. After firing the first shot, the upper portion of the pan can be slid back revealing the lower pan for the second shot. The locks feature ornate floral engraving along with lion designs on the cocks and are signed "Peter Meesen/Utrecht" in script. There are floral blooms engraved on the pommel caps, and the stocks have some simple carved plateaus and punched dot patterns around the upper barrel tangs. Filled holes on the left stock flats suggest the pair once featured belt hooks, and they appear to be rosewood. This pair is featured in "The Visser Collection, Volume I, Part 4" by G. de Vries and B.J. Martens, cat. no. 917, pages 536-537.

Very good with mostly silver gray patina and some faint pitting. The engraving and markings remain mostly distinct. The repaired stock is good and has some splices in the wrist and a few smaller repairs along with some thin cracks, mild scratches, and attractive coloration and grain. The front ramrod pipe has been expertly replaced. Mechanically fine.

See "A." Provenance: The Jeanne and Robert-Jean Charles Collection; The Henk L. Visser Collection; Property of a Gentleman

Very good with silver gray patina and mild pitting. The markings and engraving are generally distinct. The wood has some repairs but is otherwise good and has attractive grain and color contrast, a splice at the toe, some repaired cracks and filled spots, and light scratches. The front ramrod pipe has been expertly replaced. Mechanically fine.