Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare example of an EIC British brass-barreled Blunderbuss, as used on Ships during the 18th century. It has a fantastic "three-stage" brass barrel, which would be very resistant to the corrosion caused by the ocean air and spray. The lock is maker marked HENSHAW under the flash pan, and the lock plate tail is dated 1793 over the EIC Heart (East India Company) Logo. This would most likely be William Henshaw, a London gunmaker working approximately from 1772 to 1822, when he passed away. Per Gunmakers Of London, 1350-1850 by Howard L. Blackmore, Henshaw was recorded working at 279 Strand in 1780, 181 Strand 1784-91, and 44 New Bond Street 1801-08. In 1788 he became a Contractor to the East India Company, after which this blunderbuss was produced.

When on use at sea, it was very common for the name of the ship to be added to the muskets in use, to prevent them from being "lost" or otherwise misplaced, and this one is faintly marked ALBEMARLE on the middle "stage" of the barrel. Research is a bit unclear on this ship, which was purchased either in 1784 or 1791 by the East India Company from the Royal Navy. It had been a 28-gun sixth rate frigate named HMS Albemarle, which was actually originally a FRENCH Ship named Ménagère. The ship had been purchased by the French in May 1779, but was then captured by the Royal Navy September 24, 1779, and subsequently commissioned November 22, 1779.

At this point the history of the ship becomes VERY interesting, as after a few years of service, the ship returned to Woolich for Coppering, during which time the 22-year-old Captain Horatio Nelson commissioned her on 15 August 1781 for the North Sea and the English Channel. Nelson's service was notable abord the ship, which was eventually sold off a bit under 5 years after her capture on June 1, 1784.

At this point the history is a bit unclear, as there are not any recorded voyages as an Indiaman until 1791, and we have not been able to find any indication of what it was doing for that 7 year period. The ship was then involved in several voyages to East Asia, after which she was captured by a French Privateer in May 1793. That this blunderbuss is marked to her could mean that it was intended for service on the ship, which was captured before it could return to its home port to receive the gun. Definitely some interesting history to this blunderbuss!

The lock on the blunderbuss is a military type rounded faced lock plate with a two screws behind the cock with a frizzen reinforcement bridle attached to the flash pan, the modern design introduced during the 18th century. It measures 31 3/4" in overall length and has a lovely 16 1/8" long three stage brass barrel. The gun's barrel is marked - LONDON - on the top, and also bears the London Gun Company Proof Marks, including the CROWN / GP "Gunmakers" black powder proof and the CROWN / V "Viewed" mark.

In really nice tight original condition this is a lovely example dating from the late 18th century. The metalwork has matured beautifully, showing some past oxidation on the lock, 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 dark red brown color, probably made from English Walnut. IT does show some damage on the left side, including a missing chunk near one of the barrel pins, and there is also a repaired crack under the brass side plate that runs from the trigger to the barrel breech. There is a brass fitted wooden ramrod under the barrel, but it is currently stuck in place, though we can see that the forward ramrod pipe has detached from the stock.

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

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1793
Caliber: Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 16 1/8 inches
Overall Length: 31 3/4 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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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.

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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.