An expensive hunting weapon of comparatively fine calibre. It is generally considered too clumsy and slow-reloading for battle. The barrel is rifled, which accounts for the cost and stabilizes the bullet through rotation. Early models are fitted with a wheelock, later replaced by the flintlock.
These weapons are so expensive that they are only available to kings and major nobles. Usually fancifully decorated - a few hundred hour spent on decoration has only a minor impact on the price.
Some horrendoulsy heavy and expensive pieces have two barrels.
Very late in the period, these weapons become cheap enough to be given to military specialists - sharpshooters. This was a highly impopular move among officers, who naturally became prime targets for such accurate fire.