The Magnificent Wheellock of King Louis XIII

Most arms collectors today might not think they have much in common with a 17th century French King, but the similarities might be surprising. King Louis XIII is generally recognized as Europe’s first real gun collector, so much so he was nicknamed “Louis l’Arquebusier.“ He studied, disassembled, cleaned, and reassembled his arms in his leisure time, and enjoyed hunting and target shooting. This exquisite wheellock was one of the king’s early additions to his collection. It dates back almost exactly as far as the King James Bible, near the very beginning of the Baroque period, and is one of the most ornamented and beautiful objects in his renowned Cabinet d’Armes. Follow us! Email: Facebook: Instagram: Twitter: