OK, so here we have a Russian snap lock, published in the same book. This is a very princely example, dated 1654, in the Kremlin Armory, Moscow (no. 6763).
Note 3 things similar to the primitive version on this "pistol" being discussed.
1. Mainspring pushes down on the front of the cock's base.
2. Similar loop on top of the cock, to make it easier to pull back with the fingers.
3. Simple leaf spring that provides tension on the frizzen.
So it would seem that the gun being discussed is a rustic version, with a greatly simplified (but no doubt effective) trigger system, based on a Russian design and made in the hinterlands, perhaps Siberia?
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