This pair of pistols was acquired by Norman R. Blank from F. Theodore Dexter in 1958 (invoice included), and the certificate of weapon authenticity from Dexter to Blank lists them as a "Pair of 'Lazarino Cominazzo' wheellock pistols, with locks by Francesco Garatta of Brescia. Fabricated at Gardone, Italy. This pair has often been mentioned as the world's most beautiful wheellock pistol pair. Formerly in the Prince Salm Family Armory." These pistols are illustrated in "Die Waffensammlung des Fursten Salm-Reifferscheidt zu Schloss Dyck" by Max von Ehrenthal from 1906 in Table IV as items 493, and they are described on page 146 where they are estimated to date to c. 1670. They are also featured on the cover of Dexter's "Armseller" Vol. 2, August-September 1956, No. 3 where thy are noted as "Considered the world's most valuable Italian pistol pair." The left side of the wrists have the Salm crest of two salmon addorsed with the armory inventory numbers 25 and 26. The smoothbore barrels each feature decorative girdles at the muzzles, transition points, and breeches and have ribbed breech sections signed "LAZARINO/COMINAZO". The locks each have an external wheel, chiseled and engraved scroll accents, and a "fleur-de-lis/FG" maker's mark inside. The ramrod tips, triggers, trigger guards, and pommel borders are gilt brass, and the trigger guards feature a winged classical figure among the pierced scroll designs. The figured stocks feature intricate brass inlays with pierced and engraved floral and scroll designs. The pair comes in a later hardwood case.

Very fine as restored, polished on the barrel and lock, some oxidation staining, bright gilt brass furniture and mounts, absent front barrel pin, and minor overall wear. The stock is fine and has some repairs and attractive figure. Mechanism not tested.

As described in "A." Provenance: The Armory of the Prince of Salm-Reifferscheidt at Schloss Dyck; F. Theodore Dexter; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine as restored with polished barrel and lock, some oxidation staining, bright gilt brass furniture and mounts, and minor overall wear. The stock is good and has some repairs and small cracks, loose pommel, and attractive figure. Mechanism not tested.