31591- RARE GERMAN MILITARY WHEELOCK HOLSTER PISTOL CIRCA 1590-1630’S. 28” o/a with 20” octagon/round .55 cal. smoothbore barrel. Lock plate stamped on exterior of wheel with maker “S” touchmark identified in the DER NEUE STOCKEL Vol. 2 on page 1243, No. 8309 as probably Saxon in origin and dating to as early as 1584 as observed on other wheelock pistols. Fruitwood stock with iron trigger guard, forend cap and butt cap band. Type used in northern Europe and England as well the English Colonies including America during that time period. Three almost identical examples are pictured on pages 10-11 of R.E. Brooker’s ‘BRITISH MILITARY PISTOLS 1603-1888” with figure 2 on page 10 having been found under the floor at Governor’s House, Bridgnorth, Shropshire and now in the Bridgnorth Museum. Excellent overall and all original in working condition. Old original grey metal patina and stock a lovely mellow fruitwood reddish-brown. Left side of forend with light ramrod wear that can be easily restored. Very seldom encountered and of significance to early American Colonial history as well as European military history.SOLD-CALL FOR SOLD AMOUNT