Item Description
Original Item: One Only. This wonderful example of the British-style blunderbuss was made by JAMES SPENCER of LONDON, who worked from 1689 until 1698.
A very early flintlock blunderbuss with the early features of the tang screw rising from the trigger guard and the pan without the frizzen supporting arm. All brass furniture including scroll side plate, nailed on folded brass butt plate, brass trigger guard, escutcheon and ramrod pipe.
The 13 1/2" gently swamped brass barrel bearing London Proof Marks and the Maker's stamp of J.S. The full name of : JA. SPENCER in engraved in scroll work along the top of the barrel. Also signed "SPENCER" on the iron lock plate amid extensive "strawberry leaf" engraving.
Complete with brass button tipped ramrod, which is probably a contemporary replacement. There is some evidence of old wood repair at lower stock toe at butt plate. Overall length is approximately 27 inches. On the whole in very nice shape for 330 years of age.
The brass Escutcheon on the upper side of the wrist is somewhat worn but, however the engraving can still be read:-
T.W. surrounded by WOLLATON HALL
WOLLATON HALL was one of England's large ELIZABETHAN estates, construction started in 1580 for the owner, SIR FRANCIS WILLOUGHBY (1547-1596). The mansion was completed in 1588. It has stayed in the Willoughby family until it was given to The City of Nottingham by the last survivor in 1925,
LORD MICHAEL WILLOUGHBY, 11TH BARON MIDDLETON.
Research has shown that the initials T.W. belong to :-
LORD THOMAS WILLOUGHBY, 1st BARON MIDDLETON (1672 - 1729).
He was the great grandson of the original SIR FRANCIS WILLOUGHBY, who died in 1596.
For more information on maker James Spencer, maker see DER NEUE STOEKEL Volume 2 page 1204.
For the History of WOOLATON HALL see the great article on Wikipedia.
A great early blunderbuss in a very presentable condition with a terrific provenance, ready to display.
NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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 posses, 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. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. 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.
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