A Saxon wheellock puffer pistol made around 1580 to 1590, approximately .55 caliber, with a 12.5-inch barrel and an overall length of 22.5 inches, listed used as antique handgun SKU 79186. The supplier suggests it may have been an electoral guard pistol. The grip and ball butt are densely inlaid with engraved stag horn in spiral rosettes of scrolling foliage, both sides of the stock carry vignette faces, and there is a half bust of a man in Renaissance costume.

The metal is described as superb and still sharp. The barrel bears an H and an R flanking a sunk mark of a lion holding a halberd, the stamp of an unidentified maker sometimes called Master HR. This is a showpiece for a Delaware collector of early European arms. Even so, it is catalogued as a handgun, so the transfer passes through a licensed dealer with photo ID, Form 4473 and a background check, and the buyer needs the state purchaser permit or a current Delaware carry license.

Key features

• Approximately .55 caliber, 12.5-inch barrel
• 22.5 inches overall, made circa 1580-1590
• Stag horn inlay with spiral rosettes and vignette faces
• Barrel marked H and R with lion and halberd
• Possibly an electoral guard pistol

It ships to the Delaware FFL dealer you choose, where the paperwork is completed before you take it home.