The Pistol of Emperor Rudolph

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Rudolf II of Habsburg has a specific place in the history of emperors. Poorly interested in politics, he protected the scholars, sought the universal knowledge and managed in Prag a collection of works of art (Kunstkammer) which was the largest of his time.

On November 5 in Paris at Artcurial, lot 119 is a wheellock pistol that belonged to Rudolf II. This arm of respectable size, 40 cm, manufactured in Saxony circa 1580, included all the improvements available at the time. Of course, it is finely decorated. An ivory medallion carries the portrait of the emperor.

The first pistols with wheel appeared early in that century. Initially considered as unreliable and difficult to handle, they were mounted in conjunction with a knife. When technological advances allowed the pistol to gain autonomy while increasing security, it became the first firearm to be used from a single hand. The lockwheel is a toothed wheel on which the friction of a piece of iron pyrite generates firing. The latest development applied on the pistol of the Emperor is a reset system without a key.

Now, talking prices. The press release indicates 120 K€ and the catalog 140 K€. Legally, it is the price in the catalog that must be taken as reference.

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Unsold. One wonders why the seller chose Paris ...