Some lockplates have markings – a small hole or the letters S (spannen or ‘spanned’) and O (ontspannen or ‘not spanned’) – to show whether or not a wheellock was spring loaded. This is a typical feature of Dutch wheellock firearms. There are even two letters S on this pistol’s lockplate. The scrolled S was probably just an ornament.
c. 1630
Engraving
NG-2002-23-86
Image and text courtesy of Rijksmuseum, 2019
Where you'll find this
Rijksmuseum
Permanent collection