Lot 1220

Incredible NRA Award Winning Cased Miniature Wheellock Pistol

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Incredible NRA Award Winning Cased Miniature Wheellock Pistol

Estimate: $5,000 - $7,500

Starting Bid: $4,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Extraordinary and Incredibly Scarce NRA Award Winning Cased Antique Miniature Engraved and Gilded Wheellock Pistol Frank Brownell and miniature specialist Wayne Driskill listed it as a "Michael Mann Antique Miniature Wheellock Pistol (active from 1580-1630)". It won the included silver medal #91 at the 2017 NRA Annual Meetings and Exhibits in Atlanta. Driskill noted this was only the third Mann wheellock he had the chance to see and was the first he had the opportunity to sell. Mann worked in England and is notable as the earliest known miniature arms maker. A similar example can be see at the center of the collection of miniature arms donated to the Smithsonian by Harry Knode illustrated on pages 250-251 of "The Art of Miniature Firearms: Centuries of Craftsmanship", and another listed as c. 1620 by Mann is featured in the Victoria & Albert Museum. The tiny pistol measures approximately just 2.125 inches in overall length with a 1.143 inch long barrel with an approximately .087 caliber bore. It is constructed of bright polished steel with engraved gilt brass mounts and a short chain allowing it to be worn as a pendant. It is accompanied by a later antique Victorian era ebony case with brass mounts measuring 3 1/8 by 1 1/4 inches. The case has an old label and "1000" on the underside.

Manufacturer: Unknown

Model: Wheellock

BBL: 1.143 inch part round

Gauge: .087

Finish: bright/gold

Grips: steel

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Provenance: The Frank Brownell Collection
  • Condition: Very fine with bright gilt brass mounts, and steel and minimal light age and storage related wear. The rear trigger guard screw and ramrod are replacements by Master gunsmith Larry Smith. We have not tested the lock, but Mr. Driskill indicated the "piece is 100% fully functional, as stated to me by Mr. Smith, and in excellent condition." The case is fine with mild age and storage related wear. Overall, a truly remarkable and incredible scarce miniature antique wheellock pistol.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000