These two firearms form a near matching pair and only differ in some slight carving aspects on the stocks, the slightly different calibers, and slightly different lengths. They have been identified as copies but are still museum quality display pieces out of an old collection and closely match original guns by Giovani Botti of Brescia in the mid to late 17th century. They may in fact be a "documentary pair" reproduced based directly on an authentic original pair, and came in as part of a larger four gun set with a pair of pistols of the same design [BCX606A&B]. Both have locks marked "Gio Botti". The locks have raised relief engraving that includes bestial heads. The furniture has similar engraving, and the barrels are marked "->LAZARINO->COMINAZZO<-" implying they were manufactured by Lazarino Cominazzo from the renowned gunsmithing family in Brescia. He was ultimately killed while revolting against the Venetian government in 1696. The Cominazzo name was so linked to quality that many other makers counterfeited his markings. They have rifle style blade front and folding notch rear sights and full length carved European walnut stocks.

Very fine. The metal surfaces remain mostly bright and has some light spotting and patina. The wood is fine with a stabilized crack in the wrist, crisp carving, and some minor dings and scratches. The lock functions excellently, and the markings are crisp.

See A.

Very fine. The metal surfaces are mostly bright and have some slight spotting and patination. The wood is fine and has a repair at the forend tip, minor cracks in the left side of the butt, and crisp markings. The lock functions very well, and the markings are crisp.