Page 246 - 4093-BOOK2

LOT 1253
Documented Engraved, Chiseled, Silver
Mounted, and Carved Italian Snaphaunce
Featured in “One Hundred Great Guns” by Merrill
Lindsay - NSN, 16 cal., 35 1/2 inch part octagon
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This fabulous Italian
snaphaunce is featured on page 63 of “One Hundred
Great Guns” by Merrill Lindsay where it is noted as
signed by Bartolomeo
Caltrani, made in Tuscany
c. 1750, and as then being
part of Joe Kindig Jr.’s famous
collection. A copy of the
book is included with the
gun. This gun is also cited
in “Firearms in the Princes
Odescalchi Collection in
Rome” on page 119: “Another
work of <<Il Negroni>> is
a gun in the Joe Kindig Jr.
Collection in York, Pa., with
lock inscribed <<Il Negroni 1761>>”, and the signature is
noted as found after the publication of Lindsay’s book (copies of pages included). It is also featured
in “Arms and Armor Annual” on page 230 (copies of pages included). The smoothbore barrel has decorative
silver panels featuring scroll, martial, and mask designs. The head of a bird serves as the front sight, and the
rear sight is on the rear panel. The barrel also features chiseling and engraving, including a bust on the breech
and has “RTOLOMEO CALTRANI” signed on top towards the breech. The lock features chiseled and engraved
masks and grotesques, and the inside is marked “I LA Negroni” and “1761”. The steel mounts also feature extensive
chiseled and engraved designs consisting of scrollwork, masks, and various figures. The wrist escutcheon which
has a noble coronet, putti supporters, a bust of a woman, and a greenman mask. The stock features raised relief carving
incorporating figures among the scrolls. The toe of the buttplate is marked “FRANCESCO MATTEIDAIESI”. Sling swivels are fitted to the left.
CONDITION: Fine with attractively aged patina on the silver, gray and brown patina on the iron, moderate pitting at the breech, mostly
distinct designs throughout, chipped frizzen, some softening of the carved details, refinished stock with some repairs, and mild overall wear.
Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Joe Kindig Jr. Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 15,000 - 22,500
AS PICTURED AND
DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK
ONE HUNDRED GREAT
GUNS BY LINDSAY
244