GUN SPRING 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
FINE, MASSIVE AND VERY RARE PAIR OF DUTCH-STYLE WHEEL LOCK HAND MORTARS, PROBABLY AUSTRIAN USAGE, CIRCA 1625. AUSTRIAN HAND MORTARS NSN 5.2CM Cal. 5.2cm. 13-1/2" overall, 6-1/4" (16cm) bbls. The heavy brass hand mortars weigh over 6lbs each with characteristic reinforced breeches and extremely large bores mounted on European walnut full stocks with molding under bbls. Locks are convex and typical of Dutch-style Wheel Lock military pistols of the period. Steel trigger guards with steel forend reinforcing bands, and steel lozenge-shaped buttcaps. This is an extremely impressive pair of Wheel Lock mortars doubtless carried on a naval vessel to signal and throw bombs. Single mortars of this type are rare and pairs are virtually unknown outside major European museums. PROVENANCE: Private Lifetime Collection Of A Noted Scholar And Authority. CONDITION: Very good overall. Steel trigger guards cleaned in the European manner with some staining and light pitting. Locks are clean gray metal in working order. The molded walnut stocks are freshly varnished and show some old worm holes now filled but generally good. The huge brass bbls exhibit some wear and the usual dents, scratches and minor cosmetic defects expected after almost 400 years.. 51625-8 JS (35,000-55,000)