Rating and value of seventeenth-century external roller pistols

If you own a 17th century external wheel gun, and would like to know its value, and if you don't know, the period and model of your weapon, our state-approved experts and auctioneers will offer you their appraisal services. Our specialists will carry out a free appraisal of your work, and provide you with a precise estimate of its value on today's market. Then, if you'd like to sell your work, we'll guide you towards the best possible arrangement to get the best price for it.  

Rating and value of seventeenth-century outdoor spinning-wheel pistols

Seventeenth-century spinning-wheel pistols are sought-after items by collectors. However, price differences can be considerable, depending on order, state of preservation, who owned it, and other criteria. Nowadays, prices for these objects can rise considerably under the auctioneer's hammer. Buyers from all over the world are interested in the sale of certain rare pieces. The price at which they sell on the art market ranges from €125 to €20,000, for the time being, a substantial gap but one that says a lot about the value that can be attributed to these weapons. In 2013, a pair of Austrian-made pistols, sold for €78,000 while they were estimated at between €8,000 and €12,000. 

Order of value ranging from a simple order to the most prestigious

A look back at the history of the spinning-wheel pistol  

The spinning-wheel pistol is one of the earliest in circulation. It is a weapon with a complex operation that was mostly collected.
The first pistol in all history was first used in England, in 1461, at the Battle of Towton.

Not long afterwards, during the Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci became interested in the spinning-wheel mechanism, which he theorized and schematized. The spinning wheel is a steel part in the form of a wheel, toothed or notched. It is used to rub the firing plate to trigger the shot. Once the hammer is engaged, the springs kick in, creating a spark to ignite the priming powder.  

The same function is found on wheeled harquebuses, widely used in the Netherlands.

Wheeled pistols were weapons used to complement flintlock pistols, which were easier to use. The military very rarely used them in everyday weaponry, as the spinning-wheel pistol operates far too slowly.

This is why, in the 17th century, these weapons were developed for decorative purposes, using materials such as ivory or mother-of-pearl, on Italian pistols and on French pistolets of the 1st Empire.

Style and technique of the 17th century spinning-wheel pistol

The spinning-wheel pistol was initially conceived as a weapon like any other, made very plainly of wood and metal. Over the years, however, it acquired a prestigious reputation and was owned by high-ranking military personnel, even though it was rarely used by them. Over the years, much higher-quality wood and more noble materials were added. Spinning-wheel pistols became mainly pocket weapons intended for deterrence, and were hardly ever used for armed combat anymore, only when replacement was needed.

Reasons to sell a spinning-wheel pistol at auction  

If you own a 17th-century spinning-wheel pistol, and you don't know how to sell it, auctions are one solution. Indeed, collectors use this medium to find models that correspond to a particular battle or that belonged to their ancestors. Prices can reach unprecedented levels.

These objects are not just weapons, but a historical witness to the scientific evolution of French weapon design.

Knowing the value of a rouet pistol  

If you happen to own a pistol, from any period, and would like to know its value, don't hesitate to request a free appraisal using our form on our website. A member of our team of experts and certified auctioneers will contact you promptly to provide you with an estimate of the market value of your piece, as well as any relevant information about it. If you wish to sell your property, you will also be accompanied by our specialists in order to benefit from alternatives for selling it at the best possible price, taking into account market inclinations.