Original 18th Century Italian Flintlock Pistol by Rossi of Brescia with Carved Stock - Circa 1750

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely mid 18th Century Italian flintlock pistol, featuring a beautifully carved stock with highly decorative brass mountings. The lock plate is marked with ROSSI on the bottom, a well-known name in Italian gunmaking. The wonderful reference book series Der Neue Stockel by Eugene Heer lists over 10 different gunsmiths with the name "Rossi" working in Brescia, so unfortunately there is no way to tell which one made this pistol.

The pistol has a lovely two-stage 9 1/4" barrel that is octagonal near the breech, and measures 14 1/2" in total length. It pistol bears beautiful embossed brass mounts, which all bear lovely hand enhanced designs. The stock is made from what looks to be European walnut, and there is lovely "outline" type carving around the fittings, along with some foliate carved designs around the barrel tang. The wrist bears a brass escutcheon, which is not marked with a monogram. Under the barrel is a wooden ramrod, which looks to be a period replacement. We checked the lock mechanics, and it is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, though the trigger pull is quite long.

Condition is quite good considering the age, though there definitely is some cracking to the stock on the left lower side by the trigger guard. There is also some cracking and missing chunks by the long eared brass butt cap. The lock screws are a bit loose due to the threads being worn, so the lock can move a bit in the stock when being cocked.

A lovely mid 18th Century Italian Flintlock Pistol by Rossi, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1750
Caliber: approx. .50 inches
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 14 1/2 inches
Action: Snaphaunce Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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