A pair of flintlock pistols from the armoury of Ernest Louis, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt (1667 - 1739), Friedrich Osterman in Copenhagen, circa 1700
Description: Round barrels with distinct midribs, smooth bores in 15 mm calibre. Surface-mounted, silver front sights, chiselled decorative tendrils at the breeches. The flintlocks with lightly engraved, domed lock plates, both signed "Friedrich Osterman à Copenhagen". Smooth, silver lock side plates with engraved trophy décor. The slightly carved, wooden full stocks with dark horn noses. One forearm with an old restored crack. The solid silver furniture with lightly engraved décor, the thumb plates with the cipher "LL" (Landgraf Ludwig) in relief, below a count's coronet. Inset wooden ramrods. Ernst Ludwig, born at Friedenstein Palace, Gotha, in 1667, died at Jägersburg Castle near Einhausen in 1739, was Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1678 to 1739 and is famous for the particularly extensive, magnificent holdings of his armoury. Friedrich Osterman, documented from 1684 - 1719, supplied 200 guns to the armoury in Copenhagen in 1700. From 1718, he was responsible for the magnificent weapons at Rosenborg Castle. Regarded as one of the leading European gunsmiths of his time.
Condition: II +
Condition: II +
Time, Location
Auction House
Description: Round barrels with distinct midribs, smooth bores in 15 mm calibre. Surface-mounted, silver front sights, chiselled decorative tendrils at the breeches. The flintlocks with lightly engraved, domed lock plates, both signed "Friedrich Osterman à Copenhagen". Smooth, silver lock side plates with engraved trophy décor. The slightly carved, wooden full stocks with dark horn noses. One forearm with an old restored crack. The solid silver furniture with lightly engraved décor, the thumb plates with the cipher "LL" (Landgraf Ludwig) in relief, below a count's coronet. Inset wooden ramrods. Ernst Ludwig, born at Friedenstein Palace, Gotha, in 1667, died at Jägersburg Castle near Einhausen in 1739, was Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt from 1678 to 1739 and is famous for the particularly extensive, magnificent holdings of his armoury. Friedrich Osterman, documented from 1684 - 1719, supplied 200 guns to the armoury in Copenhagen in 1700. From 1718, he was responsible for the magnificent weapons at Rosenborg Castle. Regarded as one of the leading European gunsmiths of his time.
Condition: II +
Condition: II +
