Manuscript gun license from Ferrara.

[Gun license] / [Ferrara] / [Manuscript] / [Ephemera]. Giulio della Santa Romana Chiesa Prete Cardinale Piazza nella Città, e Ducato di Ferrara … Concediamo licenza al S. Paris Antonio Canonici, et à suoi Famigliari… Ferrara: 29 July 1714. [31.5x 21.5 cm], [1] f. manuscript, with wax seal, annotations on verso. Folds, neatly written and perfectly legible.

Very rare early manuscript gun license. This example was issued in Ferrara in 1714 to Paris Antonio Canonici (d. 1747) and was valid not only for his use, but also for as many as 30 members of his household. At the bottom of the sheet are listed 31 names, one of which is crossed out.

The document allows for the use in the countryside of long harquebuses (Archibugi lunghi) and pistols of the correct length (Pistole di giusta misura), but in certain places (markets, festivals, etc.) wheellocks and rifles must be kept unloaded “without powder in the touchhole” (senza plovere nel fuocone).

Within the city of Ferrara, those listed on the license also were permitted to carry “sword, dagger, and lantern, both day and night,” (Spada, Pugnale, e Lanterna da volta si di Giorno, come di notte), a rare privilege.

The license was issued by Cardinal Giulio Piazza (1663-1726), whose signature and seal appear on the document.