The only visible marking on this c. mid-18th century Germanic flintlock pistol is "A•ZELLA./S•BLASII" on the lock above the frizzen spring. The maker's name may have been on the second pistol of the pair. The top of the smoothbore barrel, the lock, and the steel mounts all feature beautifully detailed deep relief engraving with gilded backgrounds. The engraving includes female figures, a boat scene on the side plate, and shell, scroll, and foliate patterns in Rococo fashion. The barrel also features a silver blade front sight, sighting flat, and a small groove rear sight on the tang. The stock features beautiful raised relief foliate and scroll carving along with fine molding and drop flats and has a dark horn cap. Included documents from the Norman R. Blank Collection indicate the pistol was purchased from F. Theodore Dexter on May 22, 1959. Provenance: F. Theodore Dexter; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very fine with nearly all of the gold remaining in the backgrounds, mostly silver-gray patina on the balance, some light oxidation staining, and generally minor overall wear. The stock is fine and displays crisp carving, a few slight cracks and chips, and fairly minor wear. Mechanically fine. Overall a very attractive pistol.