Carinthian (Ferlach) pistol with wheel-lock mechanism incorporating an internal automatic safety system, c.1650 (steel &...

Two-stage barrel with engraved girdle and a raised moulding chiselled with leaves in a band over the breech, strongly bevelled flat lock engraved with small designs of scrolling foliage, external wheel retained by a scallop bracket, sliding pan-cover, the interior mechanism incorporating a pivoted long lever locking the scear at the rear and released by the rearward movement of the dog, the safety automatically engaged by spanning the lock mechanism, carved moulded walnut full stock characteristically inlaid over its length with delicate designs of iron wire scrolls heightened with minute iron nails, inlaid with a hare pursued by a hound opposite the lock and with a rosette ahead of the trigger-guard, 'fishtail' pommel bound with a moulded iron band enclosing a further inlaid motif, iron trigger-guard pierced and engraved with interlace, pierced baluster trigger, slotted ramrod-pipe, fore-end cap, and original ramrod with iron tip en suite with the trigger (the stock repaired in front of the lock).