This beautiful pair of pistols are from a larger group of similarly decorated firearms attributed to Duke Ernst August I von Saxe-Weimar's court gunmaker Johan Martin Laun c. 1730-1740 and built using parts supplied by Northern Italian gunmaker Giovanni Botti of Brescia. The arms were made for the armory of Schloss Ettersburg just north of Weimar, and many were sold in the early 20th century. The smoothbore barrels have post front sights, girdled transition points, ribbed breech sections signed "+LAZARINO +COMINAZZO+," and folding U-notch rear sights. The locks are signed "Gio. Botti" and have scroll engraving inhabited by bestial masks. The same masks and scroll patterns repeat throughout the gilt brass furniture. Most of the screws, the triggers, and the small belt hooks are finished in bright niter blue. The stocks have interesting raised wavy line designs and incised lines at the ramrod entry points. The ramrods have gilt brass tips. The pommel studs have a reichsadler holding two shields: one with entwined "EA" initials and the other with a coat of arms. For two related pairs, see the pistols in the Art Institute of Chicago's collection (Reference Number: 1982.2383a-b and 1982.2386a-b). Duke Ernst August I von Sachsen-Weimar ruled over the Duchy of Saxe-Weimar from 1728 to 1748. Among his greatest passions was hunting, and he is noted as having 1,100 dogs and 373 horses at the time of his death. His estates included large patches of forest suited to his love of the hunt in Eisenach. He neglected his heir and left him with a duchy in financial ruin due to his lavish spending and the fallout from his extortion of his wealthy subjects.

Very fine with crisp markings and designs and minimal wear on the bright polished barrel with some scattered pitting. The lock plate is mostly mirror bright. The gilt brass fittings have light aging. The professionally restored niter blue has only some minor fading towards the rear of the belt hook. The stock is also very fine and has attractive grain and carving, smooth finish, and a few light dings and scratches. Mechanically excellent.

See "A."

Very fine with minimal wear, crisp markings, and distinct designs on the bright polished barrel with some scattered light pitting. The lockplate remains mostly mirror bright. The gilt furniture has light aged patina, and there is a faint crack in the trigger guard bow. Nearly all of the professionally restored niter blue remains. The stock is also very fine and has distinct raised carving and incised lines, attractive grain, a few minor dings and scratches, a slight hairline crack at the heel, and minor overall wear. Mechanically excellent.