A miniature French wheel lock made entirely by hand, the fanciful stock carved of hardwood with finely engraved barrel and inlaid bone borders and appliques throughout and distinctive wheellock mechanism, all superbly detailed in metal. In its fitted handmade hardwood case, 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 owner initials. The underside always bears his distinctive signature. Overall length of miniature 24.5cm/ 9.65". Minor losses to gems. Condition II