December 10-13, 2024 Firearms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/10/2024
Heavy blunderbuss, referred to as "musketoon" in Ordnance Board records, as employed aboard Royal Navy ships and boats during the 18th-early 19th century. An remarkably intact and fine example of the rare Pattern 1802 Musketoon is 39 1/2 inches long, with a flared, 24 inch "iron" or steel barrel (brass barreled versions were also produced) and weighing nearly 14 pounds (most surviving examples with a swivel-mount, allowing for mounting and use as a rail gun). The barrel has centered Ordnance view marks above a "[crown[/7" and another inspection/proof mark above the vent: "[crown]/4". It is furnished with an India Pattern lock with gooseneck cock, with "TOWER" across the tail and a "[crown]/GR" before the cock. The brass mounts are all of Sea Service form, consisting of triggerguard, flat sideplate and buttplate, and one large "barrel" pipe for the ramrod, which is of iron. The walnut full-stock terminates in front just 7/8th of an inch clear of the muzzle and bears inspection stamps behind the triggerguard, "XV" setup marks in the ramrod channel, and storekeeper's stamp of "[crown]/GR/1806" on the right face of the butt. A later arsenal mark (1820s-1830s) is also found stamped on the right, "III.Class.R[eserve]", with a corresponding "[broad arrow]/ BO" on the left, probably applied at the same time. CONDITION: in very good-excellent overall condition with all original components--possibly never issued out of stores, with lock in crisp, working order and stock with light dings and bruises.