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LOT 3244
Incredibly Rare Engraved
and Inlaid Wheellock Hand
Mortar/Grenade Launcher
- NSN, 2 1/4 inch cal., 12 3/4
inch round bbl., bright finish,
fruitwood stock. The massive
brass/bronze barrel of this piece
measures just under 2 3/8 inches at the muzzle
opening, has a narrow antechamber for the
powder charge, and is decorated with scroll and floral
engraving. The lock has a double mask design on the wheel cover and some light engraving on the dog. The bottom of the barrel has a lug
that projects through the bottom of the forend and was likely hooked to a wall or other structure to help steady the mortar and control recoil.
The fruitwood stock has engraved stag-horn inlays mainly consisting of floral blooms as well as two scenes with dogs pursing game on the left;
one pursuing a fox on the side flat and one pursuing a hare on the cheek rest. Other wheellock hand mortars have been dated to the late 16th century and first half
of the 17th century, and some examples have known Nuremberg makers’ marks. There has been debate on how exactly they were used. They may have been used primarily for fireworks given some have narrower barrels while others like this one has a short, wide barrel more suitable for launching bombs or larger pyrotechnics.
CONDITION: Very good with attractively aged patina on the barrel, moderate pitting on the iron, and mild wear. The stock is also very good and has some replacement inlays and repaired cracks, small insect holes, and general minor scratches and marks. Lock not tested.
attractive applied dark finish overall, and general scratches and dings. Lock not tested.
Provenance: The H.L. Visser Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 6,000 - 9,000 175
Estimate: 9,500 - 16,000
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK THE VISSER COLLECTION, VOL. I, PART 4
LOT 3245
Massive Documented Early 17th Century 11-Bore Military Wheellock Musket Formerly in the Famous Henk L. Visser
Collection - NSN, 11 cal., 47 3/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, hardwood stock. This imposing musket was previously in the Visser Collection and is
featured in Volume 1 Part 4 of the collection catalog on pages 216 and 217 as no. 768. It conforms to other known Dutch muskets from the early 17th century. It features
a heavy two-stage barrel with a cannon style muzzle with a copper bead front sight, molded girdles, a dovetailed mounted grooved block rear sight with decorative finial, and
a circle and star mark on the underside. The flat lock plate is secured by two screws and has an external wheel with a three-screw retaining bracket, engraving accents on the components,
swiveling safety catch, manually operated pan, and teat at the tail. The trigger guard is iron. The dark-stained walnut stock has the iconic “fish tail” butt and is fitted with sheet iron furniture, including the buttplate which has a long tang that extend along the length of the comb.
CONDITION: Very good with mottled silver-gray patina and scattered mild pitting throughout. The extensively restored stock is very good and has some cracks and repairs including a spliced forend,