Full stock blunderbuss. [Late 18th century]. Bore diam. approx. .8". and muzzle flares to diam. approx. 2". Three stage pinned octagon to round iron barrel is 23.5"., overall length 38.375". NSN. Untouched, oxidized metal, iron mountings, European hardwood stock. Unmarked convex lock with pronounced "banana" curve, unbridled, rounded and fenced detachable iron pan and swan neck cock. Lock lightly decorated with simple foliate engraving. Lock remains in original flint. Blunderbuss with flowing iron vine pattern side plate, musket butt, raised carved apron around tang. A metal disc tipped wooden rammer is present, secured by a single iron thimble and an iron entry pipe. Likely of French or continental origin. No proof or makers marks are present. {ANTIQUE}

The blunderbuss emerged as early as the seventeenth century, principally in Europe, though some accounts allege that examples were carried by the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620. It became a favored arm of the British Royal Navy during the seventeenth century and reached the height of its popularity in the early eighteenth. By the era of the American Revolution, blunderbusses were appearing with greater frequency in North America, and the U.S. Navy issued them during the War of 1812. Their period of utility was relatively brief, however, and by the Civil War they had largely become obsolete in the face of rapid advances in firearms technology.

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio.

Fair to Good. Bore dark, heavily oxidized and with even pitting along its entire length. Metal with a rich, uncleaned brown patina and showing evenly distributed  light pitting over all the metal surfaces. Lock remains mechanically functional and in original flint with the sear and mainsprings being more modern replacements. Stock with significant restoration and repairs with most of the forend repaired and replaced from just forward of the entry pipe to the muzzle. Additional splices and repairs are present in the wood, from the lock mortise to the entry pipe, some well concealed by added finish and others more visible. A small patch is present in the apron behind the tang as well. Wood with numerous scattered bumps, dings and mars as well.