GUN FALL 2017
The live portion of this session begins on Tuesday, October 31, 2017.
RARE AND MASSIVE AMERICAN COLONIAL ERA SWIVEL BLUNDERBUSS, CIRCA 1700.COLONIALBLUNDERBUSSNSN1.5Cal. 1.5". Weighs 23-1/2 lbs including yoke, 46-1/4" overall, 28" brass bbl with 2" flared cannon muzzle, bore 1.5" overall. This impressive early blunderbuss, once in the well known collection of Norm Flayderman, has few comparables. Stock is New England style "fish belly" seen on other early 17th century American arms. Harold Peterson, on pg 41 of his 1956 text, Arms and Armor in Colonial America, 1526-1783 states "The blunderbuss has always been associated with 17th century American in the popular mind. Actually, however, the weapon was little used in this country before the 18th century. It was too specialized an arm for widespread use, and the particular conditions under which it was most useful were seldom encountered. An idea of its popularity may be obtained from the 1678 military inventory of Maryland arms referred above. In that list, there is only one blunderbuss listed out of a total of 791 arms. As late as 1694, Maryland listed only "one old Iron Blunderbuss without a Lock" and one fixt Brass blunderbuss." It was not until the 18th century brought greater urbanization and increased naval activity that the blunderbuss achieved any prominence among American weapons". Regardless, this is a fine example of an early swivel blunderbuss that few examples are extant and this specimen is in beautiful, orig condition. CONDITION: Very good overall. Iron, trigger guard, breech, lock and bbl band have smooth dark patina with pitting. The iron yoke is a restoration with matching patina. Brass bbl has medium mustard patina with clear unknown markings "MA / 810". Stock is sound with numerous small worm holes and several hairlines in forestock of which a couple have been glue repaired. Gun is functional with clear smooth bore. Brass tipped ramrod appears orig with iron base; wood shaft has matching hand worn patina to stock. 52043-4 JS (8,000-12,000)