English Dog Lock Snaphance Conversion c1660

Offered here is a most interesting and very rare example of a 17th century, snaphance pistol converted to the English Dog Lock system. The Dog Lock system started to appear in England around the mid 1600s. The dog lock differed from the French lock in that it had no half cock. When the cock was at rest it was held off the frizzen by the buffer forward of the cock. When loading the pistol the cock is pulled back to engage the dog. When ready to fire the cock is pulled all the way back to engage the locking bolt that comes from inside the lock. Pulling the trigger released the bolt and fired the pistol. The metal band halfway along the stock and the utilisation of the snaphance lock components strongly suggest that this pistol was originally of Spanish manufacture. The slightly swamped, octagonal breech, round, smoothbore barrel measures 11 inches with the whole pistol measuring 17 ½ inches. The barrel measures 0.7 inches at the muzzle and has the letters ‘HB’ at the breech. This may refer to the gunsmith who did the conversion. As mentioned, the lock is a modification of the snaphance lock. The original sliding pan cover was removed, a frizzen and frizzen spring added along with a modified cock and dog. The lock still engages as designed but needs help in releasing from the firing position. The lock, trigger guard, barrel, butt plate and strap sling are in good condition for their age. The walnut stock is in a reasonable condition for a pistol near 400 years old. There are a number of cracks and a repair forward of the trigger guard. Sold as a collector item only. Price includes shipping within Australia, layby available.