Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V

Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56)

Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56)

Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56)

Double-Barreled Wheellock Pistol Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56)

One of the earliest pistols, this firearm was designed and produced by Peter Peck, a maker of watches and guns. The two locks combined in one mechanism provided the barrels with separate ignition. Made for Emperor Charles V (reigned 1519–56), the pistol is decorated with his dynastic and personal emblems: the double-headed eagle and the pillars of Hercules with the Latin motto PLUS ULTRA (More beyond).

Provenance
William H. Riggs, Paris (until 1913; his gift to MMA).

Gunsmith:
Peter Peck (German, Munich, 1503–1596)
Etcher:
Ambrosius Gemlich (German, Munich and Landshut, active ca. 1520–50)
Date:
ca. 1540–45
Geography:
Munich
Culture:
German, Munich
Medium:
Steel, gold, wood (cherry), staghorn
Dimensions:
L. 19 3/8 in. (49.2 cm); L. of upper barrel 10 in. (25.4 cm); L. of lower barrel 7 5/8 in. (19.4 cm); Cal. of each barrel .46 in. (11.7 mm); Wt. 5 lb. 10 oz. (2550 g)
Classification:
Firearms-Pistols-Wheellock
Credit Line:
Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913

Copyright Image
https://images.metmuseum.org