A gun once owned by King Louis XIII and signed by the craftsman who made it is up for auction for £330,000 ($425,000).
The 400-year-old gold and silver ornamental wheellock rifle was part of the French king’s armoury.
The lock – signed “F.P.” – is attributed to the renowned Parisian gunmaker Francois Poumerol, who frequently crafted firearms for King Louis XIII.
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It features a smoothbore, highly decorated barrel with intricate detailing and a bright, hardwood finish as reported by What’s The Jam.
Kevin Hogan, the president of Rock Island Auction Company who is selling the piece, said: “We’ve had phenomenal opportunities to handle the finest collections and incredibly significant individual pieces, but this is in a class of its own. It is absolutely captivating.
“In firearms terms, this is from antiquity.
“It is from the same era as the King James Bible and Rembrandt and has somehow avoided residence in a world-class museum.
“It’s an extraordinary opportunity for what we believe to be the finest long arm in private circulation.”
King Louis Xlll’s has been called “the first real European gun collector,” by London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, and his Cabinet d’Armes is one of history’s most significant collections.
This pistol is a prime illustration of the artistry and technological advancements of the period, reflecting his royal patronage and has a pre-auction estimate of £194,000 ($250,000) to £330,000 ($425,000).
The sale will run in Bedford, Texas, from Friday 23 August through to Sunday 24 August, with bidding online, in-person and by telephone.
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