AN 11 BORE CENTRAL ITALIAN ROMAN-LOCK CARBINE, EARLY 18TH CENTURY with tapering barrel formed in three stages, moulded at the muzzle and octagonal over the breech, plain tang, rounded lock with characteristic external spring incorporating a delicately filed finial engaging the toe of the cock, full stock moulded over the fore-end, about the tang and carved with foliage about the ramrod aperture, folding faceted butt released by an iron stud behind the tang, the pommel carved with a radiating pattern of pairs of incised lines, iron mounts comprising trigger-guard with acanthus finial, belt hook, moulded ramrod-pipe and fore-end cap, and iron-tipped ramrod, perhaps the original 35.0 cm; 13 3/4 in barrel Provenance Baron Armand van Zuylen (1838-96), sold Sotheby's 1st April 1980, lot 61