Late 18th / Early 19th Century Blunderbuss With Spring Loaded Bayonet

Here we have a very interesting blunderbuss dated to roughly the late 18th or early 19th century. The blunderbuss does not appear to be military but rather the type purchased for guarding commercial premises or property and quite often found in the hands of merchant mariners.

The blunderbuss has a European hardwood, most likely walnut with brass fittings and a barrel coated in brass (which further points to use at sea, the brass being non reactive to sea air) and a blackened steel lock. The wood to the rear of the barrel has been worked with what appears to be silver wire.

There does not seem to be any makers mark aside from ‘London’ stamped on the top of the barrel and the proof marks.

The bayonet is a spike bayonet of a very intricate spring loaded design where it springs over the barrel to point forward at the pull of a lever.

Overall this would be a wonderful collector’s piece for any interested in marine firearms or just very inventive and interesting flintlocks.

~ Dimensions ~

The barrel is 14 inches (36 cm) long.

The blunderbuss is 30 inches (76 cm) long.

The blunderbuss is 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide at the lock.

The blunderbuss weighs 2.43 Kg.

~ Condition ~

The blunderbuss is in a good condition for its age with a very nicely aged finish to the wooden stock.

There is minor patination to the brass and the barrel is in very good condition.

ref. GS7375F43 / ASAFE0X34DF1FF