These pistols were formerly in the collection of Frank E. Bivens Jr. (inventory no. 1017) and are described and illustrated in "Half Century Scrapbook of Vari-Type Firearms" (1960) by F. Theodore Dexter on page 66 and plate 29. "+DOMENICO+BONOMINO+" is marked on top of the fluted breech sections of the barrels. Domenico Bonomino was active around 1635-1700 in Brescia and may have only manufactured the barrels given it is very common for Northern Italian pistols to have components sourced from various craftsmen. The snaphaunce was an improved version of the snaplock and features a pan that is automatically opened when the trigger is pulled. Like the snaplock, it was far less complicated and expensive than wheel locks and thus saw more widespread use. They were largely replaced by the French flintlock by the 18th century, but they remained in use in Brescia and the surrounding region into the mid-18th century. The pistols are similar to other known Northern Italian pistols dating to around in the late 17th century and have extensive and intricate pierced iron inlays along the stock, relief engraving on the other iron furniture, dragon-like creatures among the scroll designs, and coordinating sculpted triggers. The stocks are burl walnut and have carving ahead of the inlay on the forend and at the tail of the flats. They each have one intricately pierced ramrod pipe and carved ramrod entry points. The ramrods are have coordinating engraved iron tips.

Fine overall as professionally restored including conversion back to snaphaunce from flintlock and work on the forends and ramrods, with light gray patina throughout, some light pitting on the lock and barrel, minor marks and scratches, and some very slights pieces of the iron inlays absent or damaged. The stock has partially smoothed carving, some minor slivers absent, attractive figure, and general light scratches and small nicks. Mechanically fine.

See A.

Fine overall as professionally restored including conversion back to snaphaunce from flintlock and work on the forends and ramrods, with generally light gray patina, some light pitting on the light, some slightly larger pits on the otherwise fairly bright barrel, some slight portions of the iron inlays damaged or absent, and general minor marks. The stock has mostly smoothed carving on forend, more distinct carving on the flats, and slight slivers absent along the edges of the forend. Mechanically fine. This is a beautiful pair of artistic pistols. They are fine representations of the relatively scarce snaphaunce design.