Manufactured in Brescia, Northern Italy in circa 1680, the lock is signed by Francisco Garatto who is recorded as active between circa 1640 and 1690. The three stage sighted polygonal to round barrel bears the famous Italian barrel makers signature “LAZARINO COMINAZZO” on the breech section and has turned girdles dividing the sections. The iron barrel tang is engraved with foliate scrollwork and is numbered “1”. Gently rounded lock is signed “FRAN.CO GARATTO” beneath the priming pan, is engraved with further foliate scrollwork and has relief chiselled details and panels of further foliate scrollwork to the tail, cock and priming pan. The full length figured walnut stock is inlaid with pierced panels of engraved steel foliate scrollwork opposite the lock, surrounding the barrel tang, flanking the trigger plate, on the underside of the forearm and beneath the muzzle, the larger panels also incorporating a grotesque mask amongst the scrollwork. Finely pierced and chiselled iron mounts comprise a spurred pommel and trigger guard decorated in relief with flowering foliage, the trigger finial incorporating a serpents head within the scrollwork. The pierced iron mounts are complemented by relief chiselled ramrod entry pipe and ramrod pipe housing a wooden ramrod with chiselled iron tip.

Very good. The bright polished iron parts with scattered very minor corrosion spotting visible. The engraved signature on the lock is partially worn but the remaining engraved and pierced decoration remains clear with a little softening to the high points of the chiselled ornament. The stock has numerous minor age related storage and handling marks with some scattered deeper bruising. The cock has been expertly replaced. Mechanically excellent. A nice example of the late 17th century Northern Italian gunmakers craft.

As described in “A”, the barrel tang numbered “2”.

Very good. In comparable condition with “A” with the exception of the stock which has some cracks along the wood grain to the forearm and a small filler repair to the bottom edge of the butt behind the trigger guard tang. The cock is original on this pistol. Mechanically excellent.