An elegant snaphaunce lock pistol by Acqua Fresca dating: circa 1700 provenance: Bologna, Smoothbore, two-stage, 14 mm cal. barrel, octagonal at the first part, engraved and decorated with silver and gold, with floral motifs and spirals, the base with a pine tree under the Medici crowned coat of arms, the second part worked with grooves, after round with silver decorations at the borders; tang decorated en suite. Flintlock with round lock plate finely engraved as a head arising from spirals and signed 'AFresca' (the letters AF joint together). Wooden, full stock with beautiful grain and iron mounts, trigger guard and butt-plate decorated en suite with the barrel, the counterplate pierced and carved with racemes. On the back a shield under crown. Iron-tipped wooden ramrod and iron cartridge extractors. For Acqua Fresca dynasty see 'Repertorio Storico Degli Archibugiari Italiani dal XIV al XX Secolo', by Bruno Barbiroli, p. 53 - 55. length 48.5 cm.