A miniature Italian matchlock musket with revolving barrels made entirely by hand, the stock carved of hardwood detailed matchlock mechanism, barrels with dedicated pan covers superbly finished. In its fitted handmade hardwood case with brass hardware and set with a plaque reading, ITALIA 1550, signed on the reverse by the artist, E. RUIZ. 1940-1950. Famed miniature artist and gunsmith Eduardo Ruiz was a native of Barcelona who crafted only 340 unique miniature antique guns during the 1940s. He traveled widely in order to study first- hand the museum examples he selected for his miniatures, and none was ever duplicated; each is unique. Eduardo Ruiz used silver, copper and other metals as well as fine hardwoods and exotic materials such as bone, antler and tusk in his artwork. He also crafted each presentation case to suit the size of each specific piece, using fine brass hardware and setting a presentation plaque on the lid of each one for the owners initials. The underside always bears his distinctive signature. Overall length 20.3cm/ 8". Condition II