Flintlock Pistol of Augustus II the Strong, Dresden, First Quarter of the 18th Century

A flintlock pistol of French style, with an overall length of 41.5 cm. The barrel, made of steel, is entirely etched, partially engraved, and fully gilt. The lock components and mountings, crafted from iron, are also etched, engraved, and gilded.

The stock, made of walnut wood, is carved in French taste, decorated with delicate floral motifs but without inlays, in line with contemporary French fashion.

The pistol can be confidently dated to the first quarter of the 18th century, and its place of manufacture is identified as Dresden.

The barrel is of 15 mm caliber. At the rear of the barrel, near the powder chamber, there is a royal cypher "AR" (Augustus Rex), set beneath a closed crown surmounted by a cross—a monogram indicating ownership by Augustus II the Strong, Elector of Saxony and King of Poland.

The flintlock mechanism is of the French type, where the frizzen also serves as the pan cover. The lockplate, measuring 11.5 cm, is iron, etched with a hunting scene depicting a huntsman and hounds, and is entirely gilded. The cock, frizzen, and pan are all decorated with floral ornamentation that visually corresponds to the barrel's embellishments.

The sideplate (or counter-plate), measuring 11 cm, is likewise entirely etched with floral motifs and gilded.

Historical Note:
The flintlock mechanism was a prevalent ignition system in early firearms, operating by generating a spark through the impact of a flint against the steel frizzen, which then ignited the priming powder in the pan. This system was in widespread use from the 17th century through the first half of the 19th century. Although the flintlock was invented around 1570, it did not become dominant until the late 17th century, particularly in French and German arsenals.