100% of the Buyer's Premium of all lots sold in this auction will be donated to Community Food Share by Artemis Gallery. $1.00 = 3 meals!

**Originally Listed At $1800**

North America, Spanish Colonial Period, manufactured in Madrid, Spain and found in Espanola, New Mexico, ca. 1770 to 1820 CE. An escopeta - a single-shot, muzzle loading weapon - featuring a Miquelet lock, used by a soldier or settler of the Spanish Empire. The rifle also features a wooden body with steel components. Small decorative motifs are carved around the butt - simple incised triangles that give it a personalized touch. These were likely carved there by the Madrid gunsmith who made the piece. A cloth ammunition bag containing seven lead balls is also included; the bag is painted with a personal geometric design on one side. Length of rifle: 49" L (124.5 cm)

The Spanish flintlock - as well as Spanish muskets - of this time period used the Spanish lock, given the name "miquelet" by British troops. In Spanish it is called the "llava espanola". The mainspring of this lock is fitted so that pressure is exerted on the tumbler mounted on the sock-spindle. Weapons like this were used by Spanish military forces throughout Mexico, California, Texas, and New Mexico, mainly during the late 18th century.

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#149246

Wear, weathering, and losses on the rifle commensurate with age and wear. This includes some cracking of the butt. Some of the rivets holding the steel components in place are lost but the components themselves are still present (if loose in some places). The lock can be moved but is coated in iron patina, as are all the iron surfaces. The ammo bag has deposits on the fabric and is slightly frayed. The bullets within are in nice condition.

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