May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
This fine blunderbuss pistol, with turned, brass cannon barrel and brass box-lock, was made by William Grice (fl. 1765-1781) and features a triangular, folding, spring-bayonet mount similar to that patented by rival Birmingham gunmaker John Waters in 1781, which stirred up controversy during the period. In fact, Thomas Gill and William Grice both challenged this patent, claiming that they’d been producing such some years earlier. The early form of this particular pistol indicates that it was likely setup sometime in the early 1770s, would seemingly justify Grice's argument. The turned, brass "cannon" or "bell-mouth" barrel is 9" long, with a .75 bore. The right side of the barrel has Birmingham proof and view touchmarks stamped on it, while it is engraved 'GRICE / LONDON' on the left side Fastened by a ring mount near the muzzle and folded down on the right side of the barrel is the spring-action, triangular bayonet the tip to the rear. The boxlock and the iron trigger guard both bear decorative engraving and the original, horn-tip ramrod is secured below the barrel by two brass pipes. The butt is of English walnut, flattened on the sides. CONDITION: Gun and spring bayonet in very good working order, original bluing to the bayonet, the brass showing signs of a recent cleaning. JLK
Caliber/Bore
.81 Smoothbore