Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic Brass Blunderbuss Barreled Flintlock Coaching Gun, made by the legendary London Gunsmith, Inventor, and Engineer, Henry Nock (1741–1804). Nock began his career as a locksmith, patenting a design in 1775, before forming several companies to market his products. He truly rose to prominence in 1779 with being contracted to produce James Wilson's "Volley Gun" design, which are highly sought after. Nock became a Freeman of the Gunmakers Company in 1784, after which he was one of the most sought after gunmakers during the French Revolution and Napoleonic periods. His guns were well made, and his designs very innovative, and he carved out a solid place in British gunmaking history before his death in 1804.
We estimate that this blunderbuss coaching gun was made circa 1790, and measures 29 1/4 inches in overall length with a 13 1/2 inch swamped brass barrel. This itself is fitted with a 10 1/2 inch long spring bayonet located on the top of the barrel. This is held closed by an iron safety catch on the barrel tang, and when released it locks into place. There is a release button on the left side of the bayonet base, and it still functions correctly. Looking at the bayonet. it is very possible that it was fitted post production, when the blunderbuss was put into coaching service, as the bayonet definitely increases the self-defense potential.
The lock is signed with H. NOCK under the flash pan, and has a bridled frizzen with a roller spring, as well as a half cock safety, which is unfortunately no longer functional. Appointments like this are typical of Nock guns. The barrel is marked on the top facet with --->LONDON<---, and farther towards the muzzle has the marking LONDON & BRIGHTON. The London to Brighton coaching route would have been VERY popular during the days of King George IV's Brighton Pavilion during the early 19th century. The barrel has the correct CROWN / GP "Gunmaker's Proof" and CROWN / V "Viewed" markings from the London Gun Company proof house.
Condition overall is very good, showing a lovely glow on the wood and a nice mustard colored patina on the brass barrel and mountings. The trigger guard has a lovely "pineapple" shaped finial on the underside. The stock has a beautiful color, and still retains much of the original checkering around the wrist. There are some dents and chips, but no major cracks or damage we can see. We tested the lock, and it holds correctly at half cock, and fires at full.
A lovely and very hard to find original brass flintlock coaching blunderbuss by a great and famous British Gun Maker, with a fantastic spring loaded bayonet on top. Ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: circa 1790
Caliber: Blunderbuss Swamped Barrel
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 13 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 29 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Top Action with Safety
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
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- 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 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.
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