Blunderbuss ID Needed

trenchwarfare · 22nd April 2015, 04:30 PM

Picked up this blunderbuss last weekend. My gut tells me it's European, probably Spanish, but... Youse guys are pretty savvy on these things so thought I'd try here. Condition is unbelievably awesome! The only markings are the unit? and rack? numbers. Barrel is 9 1/4" long, with an overall length of 22 1/2". Guess that would put it in the "Knee Pistol" category. Muzzle is 1 1/2" across, with a bore of about 54/58 caliber. Weighs in at about six pounds. Any ideas?

kahnjar1 · 22nd April 2015, 06:59 PM

If European it would likely have proof marks. Unusual IMHO to see a belt hook on a blunderbuss. Also stamp looks very crude.
Not my particular field but looks very "new" to me with sharp edges on the upper barrel. If this was old I would expect to see some wear.....
Stu

trenchwarfare · 23rd April 2015, 01:05 AM

Up until around 1900, Spanish guns are seldom proof marked. I think it is navy, and the markings were done aboard ship. That would account for the crudeness. As to condition, I don't think it was ever used. It looks unfired.

Oliver Pinchot · 23rd April 2015, 05:55 PM

This is Indian work of the latter 19th century. The mark on the barrel indicates it came out of the Jaipur arsenal. The lock and several other parts are probably from an English sporting gun, while the remainder is locally made. Its condition suggests it saw relatively little use before being placed in the arsenal.

trenchwarfare · 23rd April 2015, 06:18 PM

Thanks Oliver. Now, I have a starting point. I figured it was late 19th, possibly even very early 20th century. The age of the blunderbuss was pretty much over, when percussion ignition came into use. But, in backwater areas, old traditions die hard.

Oliver Pinchot · 23rd April 2015, 06:33 PM

That notion may hold true for Western Europe, but everywhere from the Balkans to Xinjiang, and probably farther, not only blunderbusses but flintlock and even matchlock mechanisms remained in use well into the 20th century.

22nd April 2015, 04:30 PM	#1
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Blunderbuss ID Needed Picked up this blunderbuss last weekend. My gut tells me it's European, probably Spanish, but... Youse guys are pretty savvy on these things so thought I'd try here. Condition is unbelievably awesome! The only markings are the unit? and rack? numbers. Barrel is 9 1/4" long, with an overall length of 22 1/2". Guess that would put it in the "Knee Pistol" category. Muzzle is 1 1/2" across, with a bore of about 54/58 caliber. Weighs in at about six pounds. Any ideas? Attached Images

22nd April 2015, 06:59 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	If European it would likely have proof marks. Unusual IMHO to see a belt hook on a blunderbuss. Also stamp looks very crude. Not my particular field but looks very "new" to me with sharp edges on the upper barrel. If this was old I would expect to see some wear..... Stu

23rd April 2015, 01:05 AM	#3
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Up until around 1900, Spanish guns are seldom proof marked. I think it is navy, and the markings were done aboard ship. That would account for the crudeness. As to condition, I don't think it was ever used. It looks unfired.

23rd April 2015, 05:55 PM	#4
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	This is Indian work of the latter 19th century. The mark on the barrel indicates it came out of the Jaipur arsenal. The lock and several other parts are probably from an English sporting gun, while the remainder is locally made. Its condition suggests it saw relatively little use before being placed in the arsenal.

23rd April 2015, 06:18 PM	#5
trenchwarfare Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 385	Thanks Oliver. Now, I have a starting point. I figured it was late 19th, possibly even very early 20th century. The age of the blunderbuss was pretty much over, when percussion ignition came into use. But, in backwater areas, old traditions die hard.

23rd April 2015, 06:33 PM	#6
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 464	That notion may hold true for Western Europe, but everywhere from the Balkans to Xinjiang, and probably farther, not only blunderbusses but flintlock and even matchlock mechanisms remained in use well into the 20th century.