The lock has "15" to the left of a "GM/heart" hallmark and "94" to the right, a golden dome wheel cover with engraved beasts, scrollwork, and border; safety switch, rosette pan cover button, and cock with a bestial face at the jaw, a green man on the neck, and floral patterns. The barrel has the Nuremberg guild mark on the bottom at the breech, embellished with gilded bands at the muzzle and transition points, gilded engraved leaf patterns at the same points, the breech, and down the barrel tang which runs all the way down to the collar at the bottom of the wrist. The stock has profuse scrimshaw inlays with flowering tendrils inhabited by dogs, birds, green man, a hunter shooting a beast on the left side and a portrait on the bottom. The faces on the sides of the barrel tang towards the top are commonly found on Nuremberg pistols from this era. The elaborate bone-inlaid ball butt is divided into quadrants by repousse gold bands with lion mask golden roundels in each section, and a large golden snarling lion roundel on the base. Wooden ramrod mounted with engraved bone tip.

Very fine as masterfully restored with bright metal surfaces, light pitting, rub marks from the safety, crisp markings and engraving, and attractive contrast between the gold, iron, wood, and scrimshaw panels. The stock is fine and has some splices and repairs, a few small slivers of vine inlay absent, a few slight cracks and one absent bone retaining pin. This is overall an absolutely gorgeous example of the highest quality work originating out of Nuremberg in the late 16th century. Dated examples are always particularly desirable, and this piece is certainly befitting of the highest quality museum or private collection. Provenance: Robert M. Lee Collection