Please help ID marks on blunderbuss

fernando · 6th November 2014, 06:34 PM

This is a blunderbuss in a non glorious condition; that is is to see.
What seems more difficult to clarity are the marks on the barrel and on the lock. One could instantly say that those punctions on the bronze barrel are British proof marks, but i wonder; somehow they look rather funny (to me).
The mark on the lock could well be that of a known lock maker, but i can't figure out for myself.
Could any of you guys give a hand on this enigma ?

.

Fernando K · 6th November 2014, 06:57 PM

Dear namesake

The hallmarks are Birmingham proof before 1813. The gunsmith punch appears between the test can not distinguish if WW or VW

The other inscription is in the timber?

Affectionately. Fernando K

Fernando K · 6th November 2014, 07:57 PM

Dear namesake

The manufacturer of the barrel appears to be William Wilson, and the lock seems to read "WATSON" but would need a better picture, to see if there are more letters

Affectionately. Fernando K

Marcus den toom · 6th November 2014, 08:06 PM

A better picture of the name would indeed be welcome

I also noticed that the picture with the name in it might be upside down?

Raf · 7th November 2014, 08:12 AM

Congratulations . Nice find ; very Pirates of the Caribbean. Before someone else points it out the stock looks early pattern Brown Bess but without details of the inletting for the missing brass work cant say exactly when . The lock profile looks post 1755 Long Land but the give away is probably the lack of a frizzen bridle and the leaf shaped terminal to the frizzen spring. Both characteristics seen on Sea Service weapons. May not be an ordnance product but looks like it may have been assembled from parts destined for the ordnance system . Sea Service seems to have been the rough end of production hence anachronistic features such as bridleless pans and parts which stylistically don't always appear to belong in the same timeframe .

fernando · 7th November 2014, 05:54 PM

Thanks a lot for your comments Gentlemen,
This gun is not yet in hand; when it does, better pictures will be taken.
Fernando, your guess on William Wilson must be right. But i don't think that Watson is the name on the lockplate; future will tell.
Very good remarks on the whole piece, Raf; the whole text has been well noted.

6th November 2014, 06:34 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Please help ID marks on blunderbuss This is a blunderbuss in a non glorious condition; that is is to see. What seems more difficult to clarity are the marks on the barrel and on the lock. One could instantly say that those punctions on the bronze barrel are British proof marks, but i wonder; somehow they look rather funny (to me). The mark on the lock could well be that of a known lock maker, but i can't figure out for myself. Could any of you guys give a hand on this enigma ? . Attached Images

7th November 2014, 08:12 AM	#5
Raf Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 238	Congratulations . Nice find ; very Pirates of the Caribbean. Before someone else points it out the stock looks early pattern Brown Bess but without details of the inletting for the missing brass work cant say exactly when . The lock profile looks post 1755 Long Land but the give away is probably the lack of a frizzen bridle and the leaf shaped terminal to the frizzen spring. Both characteristics seen on Sea Service weapons. May not be an ordnance product but looks like it may have been assembled from parts destined for the ordnance system . Sea Service seems to have been the rough end of production hence anachronistic features such as bridleless pans and parts which stylistically don't always appear to belong in the same timeframe . Attached Images Last edited by Raf; 7th November 2014 at 08:39 AM.

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6th November 2014, 06:57 PM	#2
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 663	Dear namesake The hallmarks are Birmingham proof before 1813. The gunsmith punch appears between the test can not distinguish if WW or VW The other inscription is in the timber? Affectionately. Fernando K

6th November 2014, 07:57 PM	#3
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 663	Dear namesake The manufacturer of the barrel appears to be William Wilson, and the lock seems to read "WATSON" but would need a better picture, to see if there are more letters Affectionately. Fernando K

6th November 2014, 08:06 PM	#4
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 493	A better picture of the name would indeed be welcome I also noticed that the picture with the name in it might be upside down?

7th November 2014, 05:54 PM	#6
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,637	Thanks a lot for your comments Gentlemen, This gun is not yet in hand; when it does, better pictures will be taken. Fernando, your guess on William Wilson must be right. But i don't think that Watson is the name on the lockplate; future will tell. Very good remarks on the whole piece, Raf; the whole text has been well noted.