Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss Coaching Gun, made circa 1800 and at some point fitted with a fantastic spring loaded triangular bayonet. The lock on this example is marked WHEELER, for Robert Wheeler of London, a known gunsmith who worked from 1767-1813. It is also marked LONDON on top of the barrel, without any proof marks, which are most likely on the underside of the barrel.

This lovely matured blunderbuss measures 27 1/4 inches in overall length with a 12 inch long three stage swamped brass barrel, which is octagonal around the breech. This itself is fitted with a 9 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 blunderbuss is all brass fitted, and the fittings now display a lovely aged patina, which makes the engraved the designs really "pop".

The blunder buss features all brass fittings, which have some lovely decorations, including a fantastic well-engraved "acorn" finial on the front of the trigger guard. They have a lovely golden patina that matches the barrel well. The lock plate shows some light past oxidation, but is still in very good shape. It is an advanced design, featuring a roller on the frizzen spring and frizzen reinforcement bridle going to the flash pan as well. We tested the lock, and it is functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full, and the half cock safety is functional as well.

The stock is very nice, and has two ramrod pipes under the muzzle, with a wooden ramrod still in place. The stock has a lovely color, showing the grain well, though there is some cracking and damage on both sides of the stock near the muzzle. The left side is missing material along the top for the last 3-4 inches, while the right side has a chunk missing, as well as some cracking. We have left these in place to preserve the history of the piece.

A lovely and very hard to find original brass flintlock coaching blunderbuss by a known British Gun Maker, with a fantastic spring loaded bayonet on top. Ready to research and display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1800
Caliber: Blunderbuss Swamped Barrel - 0.96" at Muzzle
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 12 inches
Overall Length: 27 1/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Top Action with Half Cock Safety
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.