Blunderbuss
Type: Flintlock
Maker: Unknown
Model: N/A
Year: C. 1775-1799
Age: Last 1/4 18th Century
Caliber: N/A
Serial: N/A
Description: A folding stock flintlock blunderbuss with iron barrel, marked on the lock with a British crown above what looks like opposing C's with a diamond at its center. Portraits of a woman with draped bust is engraved on the brass inset opposite the lock, brass barrel insets, trigger guard and top of the brass butt plate. Other engraving includes scroll work on the brass parts as well. Carving on the stock around the base of the ram port and the shoulder of the butt. On the stock underside forward of the trigger guard is a Christian cross outlined with a circular punch. Metal has silver/grey finish and the tip of the barrel is turned and worked. A very fine example of this rare form of folding stock blunderbuss. Lock mechanics are crisp, hinge mechanism functions well and is easily reached by the thumb of the shooter to readily drop the back portion of the stock for use in close quarters.
Size: 34" L x 4" W x 3" H
Weight: 7 pounds
Condition/Bore: Some age checks, scratches, and tiny chips on wood, the largest loss of wood near butt plate approximately 1/4". Possibly the screw stock release button is replaced. Somewhat loose around hinged area.
History: The blunderbuss is a muzzle-loading firearm with a short, large caliber barrel, which is flared at the muzzle and frequently throughout the entire bore, and used with shot and other projectiles of relevant quantity and/or caliber. The blunderbuss could be considered to be an early form of shotgun, which was often adapted to military and defensive use. It was effective at short ranges, but lacked accuracy for targets at long range. The term dragon was used to describe a blunderbuss in handgun form, and it is from this that the term dragoon evolved.