Pair of Wheellock Pistols

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

Brescian firearms are renowned for the quality and beauty of their chiseled ornament, the elegance of their line, and the excellence of their barrels. This pair of wheellock pistols is exceptional for having nearly the exact same measurements – usually there are minor differences between a pair – and nearly exactly the same weights.

Arms and Armor

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The principal goals of the Arms and Armor Department are to collect, preserve, research, publish, and exhibit distinguished examples representing the art of the armorer, swordsmith, and gunmaker. Arms and armor have been a vital part of virtually all cultures for thousands of years, pivotal not only in conquest and defense, but also in court pageantry and ceremonial events. Throughout time the best armor and weapons have represented the highest artistic and technical capabilities of the society and period in which they were made, forming a unique aspect of both art history and material culture.

Metropolitan Museum of Art