Original Item: Only One Available. This is wonderful mid 18th Century British brass barreled Blunderbuss, very popular as a coaching and close quarters weapon during the time. The lock is maker marked with a stamped RIMES, which research indicates is for John Rimes of London, who was later succeeded by his son Nathaniel. He worked out of 66 Bell Dock, Wapping, London, and supplied firearms to the East India Company in 1772. His work is well-regarded for its elegant detailing and solid craftsmanship. We have compared the marking on the lock with other known examples, and the style is a match, and looks to have been stamped in place.

This fine example has an early military type rounded faced lock plate with a single screw behind the cock and without any frizzen reinforcement bar marked to the flash pan. The blunderbuss measures 31 1/4" in overall length and has a lovely 16 1/4" long three stage round brass barrel. The trigger guard, also made of brass, is also of early form and the butt plate is flat and nailed onto the butt stock, being made from sheet brass.

The brass side plate is typical of those found on Brown Bess muskets from the time, and the wooden ramrod has a lovely brass tip. The gun's barrel bears London Proof Marks, including the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers" black powder proof and the CROWN / V "Viewed" mark. There is a makers touchmark in between these, however it is two worn to read.

In really nice tight original condition this is a lovely example dating from the mid 18th century. The metalwork has matured beautifully, showing some past oxidation on the lock and barrel tang, but no major damage. The hammer action is strong, and the lock holds correctly at half-cock, firing at full. The wood stock has a lovely color and also displays lovely grain throughout. There is some cracking on the left side running back from the breech area under the side plate, which is a very common place for this to occur. We do not see any past repairs or other major issues.

Clearly long well treasured, this is ready to research and display! A worthy addition to any British blunderbuss collection!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1750
Caliber: Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 16 1/4 inches
Overall Length: 31 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
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 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.