Pair of Wheellock Pistols Made for the Bodyguard of the Prince-Elector of Saxony

Zacharias Herold

ca. 1590 · Steel, wood, silver, gold, brass · Arms and Armor

Many similar pistols were made by Dresden gunmakers for the elector's mounted bodyguard. The large spherical pommel facilitated easy withdrawal from a saddle holster. The Saxon ducal arms is on the silver buttplate.

Artist

Zacharias Herold

Date

ca. 1590

Medium

Steel, wood, silver, gold, brass

Culture

German, Dresden

Department

Arms and Armor

Credit line

Gift of William H. Riggs, 1913