Original Item. Only One Available. This is a lovely Belgian Blunderbuss Pocket Pistol, made very much in the design of typical Boxlock Percussion pistols. It does not have any maker marks on the sides of the boxlock, but on the underside of the breech it is marked with some faded numbers over a CROWN / AF marking for Auguste Francotte & Co. of Liège. This was a very well-known and prolific firearms manufacturer, who made many guns under contract to countries all over the world. They also made some improved versions of existing guns, such as the Martini-Henry. Founded in 1810, the company was still in operation until the WWII era.

This lovely pistol measures approximately 8 1/2 inches in length, with a 3 1/2 inch "swamped" blunderbuss barrel. We do see a joint at the breech area, so it may have been a "turn off" barrel, but it is now definitely solidly frozen. It may also just be a joint from the manufacture. The sides of the action have some lovely engraving on both sides, and the bottom of the trigger guard looks to have a "spider web" engraved on it. The metalwork shows a lovely aged patina. We tested the functionality, and the lock holds correctly at half cock, firing at full. It is a bit stiff, and the cap nipple cone under the hammer is partly broken away.

The grip is a lovely bird's head shape, with some great carving near the lock, and great checkering on both sides. It shows light wear, with some dirt or wax residue in the checkering, which could probably be cleaned away. We do not see any cracks or other issues.

A lovely Belgian Blunderbuss Pistol made by a very well-known maker, ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball / Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 3 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 8 1/2 inches
Action: Percussion Boxlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.