Madrid Style, Miquelet Lock, Holster Pistol by Francisco Antonio Garcia, Royal Maker to Carlos IV, 1781

Holster pistols are also known as horse pistols. These long and heavy weapons were made for use on horseback. They usually came in pairs along with connected holsters designed to be draped over the pommel of a saddle. The style originated in France during the latter half of the 17th century. By the early 18th century holster pistols were in wide use throughout Continental Europe and in England (1) . The Madrid style Miquelet lock began to appear in the late 17th century. The contemporary name for the style was "llave a la moda" (lock to fashion). The lock is French in appearance, but Spanish in operation. Unlike the traditional Miquelet lock known as the "patilla" (Foot of the Animal / Rooster), the mainspring is mounted behind the lock-plate in the stock, but you can easily see where the horizontal sears engage the small projection on the breast and rear of the hammer (2) .

Francisco Antonio Garcia grew-up in La Puebla de Montalban, just west of Toledo, Spain. He studied under Francisco Lopez and was a fellow student of Isidro Soler. Garcia married Felipa Lopez (probably Francisco`s daughter). Long before his royal appointment Garcia was receiving royal commissions and executing works for prince Carlos IV. He was appointed as a royal gunsmith shortly before the death of Carlos III in 1788. His appointment was not formalized until January 5th, 1789 when he was sworn in as gunsmith to king Carlos IV. As a royal gunsmith Garcia received a substantial salary from the court, and was required to devote himself solely to works for His Majesty. At the time of his death in 1792, he was living at 49 Hortaleza in Madrid (3) (4) (5) . Soler also became a royal gunsmith in 1788. He authored and illustrated the Compendio Historico de los Arcabuceros de Madrid desde su origen hasta la epoca presente (Arcabuceros Historical Compendium of Madrid from its origin to the present day) in 1795.

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