Project Description
!!!!!SOLD!!!!! This exact piece pictured on page 137 of the book The Art of Miniature Firearms – Centuries of Craftsmanship!
This is a 1/4 scale combination matchlock/wheellock grenade launcher with high relief carved ivory stock made by master miniature Peter Dyson of England. This exact piece is shown on pages 136 – 137 of the book The Art of Miniature firearms – Centuries of Craftsmanship, and attributed to Peter Dyson, a copy of the book will be included. I had looked it over thoroughly with a 10X loop, and could find no makers marks until I removed the lock and found the initials PD in a shield on the back side of the lockplate. 6 1/16″ long overall with a 1 1/2″ barrel of about .60 caliber. The barrel is finely engraved in a basket weave type pattern and multiple rings at the muzzle. The barrel is finished in a beautiful bright fire blue, and is counter bored with a smaller bore diameter for the powder charge and the large diameter to accept the grenade. The barrel touch hole is not drilled through as would be typical for a miniature made in England. The lock assembly with exposed wheel is finished in the white except for the springs & screws which are finished in a bright fire blue. The matchlock is the lever or hammer at the rear of the lock and would have been used in the event of a failure of the wheellock. The triggerguard is yellow brass and finely scroll and vine engraved. The stock, and this piece is all about the stock, is one piece of ivory with almost full coverage high relief carving. The photos will tell the story much better than I would ever be able, but here goes. Starting on the top at the barrel tang, there is an animal figure, followed by a figure of a knight with armor & sword, followed by what looks like an angel, then a flower figure. The right side is mostly leaf & flower motifs, with a fire breathing dragon near the rear. The left side what looks to be a feathered eagle, followed by a reclining woman, then two more dragons. The bottom front shows three angels, followed by two mermaids, then a man’s portrait with lions on each side, then leaf & vine, followed by a full length nude woman figure, then a flowered column. The butt of the stock is a very high relief carving of a lions head with inset diamonds for the eyes. The workmanship is spectacular! A truly beautiful piece by a master maker, and worthy of the finest collection! Stock # DD-02. !!!!!SOLD!!!!!
