Wheel-lock Pistol
- Date
- 1620–30
- Material
- Steel and walnut with iron furniture
- made in
- Brescia, Lombardy region, Italy, Europe
- Classification
- Arms & armor, metalwork
- Collection
- Decorative Arts and Design
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 138
- Dimensions
- 6 1/2 x 25 5/8 x 2 in. (16.5 x 65.1 x 5.1 cm)
weight: 2 lb. 3 oz. (1 kg) - Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 84:1939
NOTES
The invention of spark-producing wheel-lock ignitions early in the 16th century made it possible for the warrior on horseback to use firearms. Thus began the slow decline in the use of armor by cavalry as pistols became capable of piercing all but the best "bullet proof" armor.
Provenance
- 1925
Henry Griffith Keasbey, USA, sold at auction "European Arms and Armor VI-XVII Century: Important Collection of Henry Griffith Keasbey," American Art Association, New York, NY, November 27-28, 1925, lot no. 118, plate XII. [1]
- 1939
Clarence H. Mackay (1874-1938), Roslyn, Long Island, New York, NY
1939 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from the estate of Clarence H. Mackay, through Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc., New York, NY [2]
Notes:
[1] 84:1939 was in the Keasbey collection until it was entered at auction "European Arms and Armor VI-XVII Century: Important Collection of Henry Griffith Keasbey" at the American Art Association in New York on November 27-28, 1925 as lot 118 [SLAM document files].
[2] Notes on the accession record and the Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. invoice indicate that 84:1939 was part of the Clarence H. Mackay collection. The pistol is identified on the invoice as Seligmann No. G13 216 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 8, 1939.
Henry Griffith Keasbey, USA, sold at auction "European Arms and Armor VI-XVII Century: Important Collection of Henry Griffith Keasbey," American Art Association, New York, NY, November 27-28, 1925, lot no. 118, plate XII. [1]
- 1939
Clarence H. Mackay (1874-1938), Roslyn, Long Island, New York, NY
1939 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased from the estate of Clarence H. Mackay, through Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc., New York, NY [2]
Notes:
[1] 84:1939 was in the Keasbey collection until it was entered at auction "European Arms and Armor VI-XVII Century: Important Collection of Henry Griffith Keasbey" at the American Art Association in New York on November 27-28, 1925 as lot 118 [SLAM document files].
[2] Notes on the accession record and the Jacques Seligmann & Co., Inc. invoice indicate that 84:1939 was part of the Clarence H. Mackay collection. The pistol is identified on the invoice as Seligmann No. G13 216 [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, June 8, 1939.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.