An Exceptional Antique Dutch/French Over & Under (Superposed) Flintlock Holster Pistol by ERTTEL, DRESDEN

An Exceptional Antique Dutch/French Over & Under (Superposed) Flintlock Holster Pistol, circa. late 17th - early 18th Century.  Made by Court gunsmith Andreas Ertell (Erttel) and possibly his sons Johann Andreas (born 1689) and Johann Georg (born 1700).  They were active in Dresden, Saxony until around 1725.  12 5/8", .64 caliber smooth-bore barrels (upper barrel fitted with rounded blade front sight).  The right lock plate is signed "ERTTEL" below the priming pan, and the left lock has "A DRESDE" and both actions have decorative scroll and border engraving.  The right lock and front trigger fires the upper barrel, and the left lock and rear trigger fires the lower barrel.  All steel furniture.  The trigger guard is grooved, and the pommel cap has a grotesque face mask.  The pistol is in its original flintlock configuration with no restoration.  The very fine figured walnut stock is solid with light scratches and dings from years of handling.  A fantastic example !

Gun Maker "ERTTEL":

Some of their work can be seen in the Dutch National Museum (Rijksmuseum) collection, 

The Tower of London Collection, Leeds,

The Musee de Arme, Paris,

(as well as "The Splendor of Dresden, Five Centuries of Art Collecting") 

The Hank Visser Collection.

TTI-520319