Product Details
VENDITTI, ITALY
AN EXTRAORDINARILY RARE .38 (INTERNALLY PRIMED) LEVER-ACTION REPEATING PISTOL, no visible serial number,
circa 1860 with 6 3/4in. octagonal iron barrel engraved on the top-flat with floral scrolls and signed 'VENDITTI E C.I LANCUSI', integral tubular magazine below the barrel, the muzzle twisting to the side for loading, brass frame with iron sideplates engraved with floral patterns, finger-ring under-lever forming the trigger guard, chequered walnut bag-shaped grips with engraved brass back-strap, lanyard ring to heel, some staining to exposed iron surfaces.
Other Notes: This pistol was the brainchild of gunmaker Pietro Antonio Venditti of Torre Annunziata and Napoli, (1828 - 1878), who, on his release from prison after doing hard labour for murder returned his hand to gunmaking. Venditti filed many patents during his lifetime with this being his most successful design, unfortunately only to have it stolen and copied whilst in prison by Horace Smith and Daniel B. Wesson (of S&W fame) and then in turn by New Haven Arms in the form of the Volcanic (q.v). Therefore this pistol could be rightfully termed the father of the Winchester rifle. Not many examples exist with the total estimated production only being around 100 pieces. Most surviving examples are made for ten shots as represented here but variations of up to twenty-six shots are known. See "Der Neue Stockel", Vol. II, page no. 1324.
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Estimate £3,000-4,000
Sold as an exempt item under Section 58 (2) of the 1968 Firearms Act, to be held as a curiosity or ornament