Radslotpistool c. 1650

"Radslotpistool" is a wheel-lock pistol crafted around 1650 by the Dutch gunsmith Adolf Bosch. This firearm, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, demonstrates the intricate craftsmanship of 17th-century gunmaking. The wheel-lock mechanism, a complex system utilizing a spring-driven wheel to ignite the powder charge, was a marvel of engineering and required a high level of skill to create. The pistol's polished steel barrel and finely carved wooden stock highlight the artistry involved in creating these weapons, which were both functional and status symbols in their time.