Flintlock Blunderbuss Boarding Pistol & Folding Bayonet, Brass 14 INCH Single Shot Black Power Rifle MFD Ca.1800 Antique

SOLD FOR $2,711

LSB#: 170923AL35

Make: Unknown

Model: Blunderbuss with Folding Bayonet

Serial Number: NSN

Year of Manufacture: ca. 1800

Caliber: The bore measures 1.20” at the muzzle.

Action Type: Single Shot Flintlock

Markings: None

Barrel Length: The barrel is half-octagon and half-round. The length of the bore is 14”.

Sights / Optics: This blunderbuss was designed with sights.

Stock Configuration & Condition: The stock is a checkered walnut with a brass carbine style buttplate and a forend that runs to within 2 ½” of the muzzle. The lower tang extension of the trigger guard covers about half the length of the belly. There is a groove in the underside of the forend for storage of the bayonet, which is held by a brass catch inside the forend, controlled by a sliding switch at the front of the trigger guard. There are thimbles embedded into the left top edge of the forend for storage of a wooden ramrod. The left flat opposite the lockplate has a brass sideplate to support the screws. The wood around the bayonet catch is cracked on both sides. There are multiple small dings in the stock with several drag lines. The wood to metal fit is very good, but the wood is slightly shy of the metal at the toe of the buttplate. The checkering shows light wear, with moderate wear along the edges of the lower tang. There is a ding on the left side just above the tang, and two small mars in the right side. There are two pins through the wrist, one at the front of the checkering and one at the rear: there are no cracks visible, so we are not sure why they are there unless put there when the gun was first made. The LOP measures 13 3/8” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttplate. The buttplate has developed a mustard colored patina with dark green tarnish around the mounting screws. It shows a few light scratches and tiny dings. The buttplate is in about Very Good to Fine condition. The stock rates in about Fair overall condition, and would rate higher without the cracks in the forend.

Type of Finish: The barrel, trigger guard, left side plate and the rod thimbles are brass. The lockplate is steel, that appears to be finish “In The White”.

Finish Originality: There are no indications that this rifle was ever refinished.

Bore Condition: The bore is smoothbore and is dark with erosion.

Overall Condition: This rifle retains about 1% of its metal finish. The brass parts show a mustard colored patina with spots of darker tarnish near the muzzle and around the bayonet release. The lockplate shows pitting. The screw heads are sharp with a few light marks from a screwdriver. Overall, this rifle rates in about Fair to Good condition.

Mechanics: The action functions correctly. We did not fire this rifle. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your maintenance requirements.

Box, Paperwork & Accessories: This blunderbuss comes with a folding bayonet attached at the underside front of the barrel. When opened fully, the bayonet locks properly into position and can be released via a spring-loaded latch on its right side. Unfortunately, the bayonet cannot be locked closed, since the forend won’t support the stress on the latch, but the latch can be moved to the rear by pulling back on its release at the front of the trigger guard, which is spring loaded. The bayonet has developed a dark patina and shows a small ding on its left outside edge. The bayonet is in about Fine condition. There is a wooden ramrod stored along with the left upper edge of the forend. The ramrod has a brass trombone shaped tip on one end and a brass tip on the other for grasping. The ramrod is in Very Good condition.

Our Assessment: Boy! What an interesting looking weapon. This blunderbuss was obviously designed for use aboard ship, and if you couldn’t knock down your opponents with a load of shot, you could stick them with the bayonet. We wish we knew more about these, but are sure the knowledgeable collectors out there will know what they are bidding on. Good Luck.

Flintlock Blunderbuss Boarding Pistol & Folding Bayonet, Brass 14 INCH Single Shot Black Power Rifle MFD Ca.1800 Antique
Flintlock Blunderbuss Boarding Pistol & Folding Bayonet, Brass 14 INCH Single Shot Black Power Rifle MFD Ca.1800 Antique