Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very interesting Dutch Flintlock Naval Blunderbuss Pistol Carbine, very similar to many Naval Flintlock pistols manufactured for the Dutch in Belgium, which was under Napoleon Bonaparte's control until 1814. The shape of the stock, the characteristic butt cap with lanyard loop, and square barrel escutcheons are typical. The mounts are all of brass and the grade of manufacture is really quite high.

However, this definitely looks to have been made earlier, and most likely made before the French Revolution and subsequent Napoleonic wars, which resulted in the occupation of the Netherlands. We do believe it was made in the Belgian City of Liège, probably when it was still under Austrian rule, and the design was mostly kept intact for later production. Unlike later examples, it does have the provision for a ramrod, and is fitted with a 7 1/2" long belt look on the left side. Most noticeably, the pistol carbine is fitted with a 13" blunderbuss barrel, 4 inches longer than later examples and flared to 1 1/2" at the end. At 19 inches in overall length, it is almost more of a "carbine" than a pistol. There are no maker markings on the carbine, just an anchor proof and the number 10 on either side of the butt cap, most likely a rack number.

The top of the barrel shows a stylized ADMIRAL TJERK HIDDES de VRIES engraved on the top. Tjerk Hiddes de Vries (6 August 1622 – 6 August 1666) was a Dutch States Navy officer who rose to the rank of Admiral. The French, who could not pronounce his name, called him Kiërkides. His name was also given as Tsjerk, Tierck or Tjerck. He was appointed "Lieutenant-Admiral of Frisia" in 1665 during the Second Anglo-Dutch War, and greatly contributed to the Dutch victory during the Four Days' Battle in 1666. He unfortunately did not fare as well during the St James's Day Battle, and was severely wounded, during the engagement, which would lead to his demise two days later.

The ship named after him was a Dutch 68-gun third rate ship of the line, launched 12 November 1782. It was part of the navy of the Admiralty of Friesland, one of five provincial naval forces of the United Republic of the Netherlands'. In 1795, following the French occupation of the Netherlands, this ship (like all other Dutch Warships) was taken over by the Batavian Republic. She fought during the Battle of Camperdown under Captain J.B. Zeegers on 11 October 1797, during which she was captured by the Royal Navy. The ship was renamed HMS Admiral DeVries, and in 1799 she served as a transport ship. In that year she sailed to the West Indies. She sprang a leak off San Domingo and was determined to be unfit for sea. She served as a prison hulk in Port Royal until she was sold in 1806

The pistol carbine's overall length is about 19" and it has a large lanyard ring on the bottom of the brass mounted butt cap. All the mounts are brass and the overall condition is really nice. The stock does show wear overall from service, with scratches and small dents, and there is a crack on the left side running from a lock screw to the breech, a very common location to see these. There are no repairs or other cracks that we can see, and the stock color is really quite lovely, showing a lot of "curl" in the grain. The lock is fully functional, holding correctly at half cock and firing at full.

A great European Naval flintlock Blunderbuss pistol carbine, fully cleaned and ready to display!

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: c.1780
Caliber: Blunderbuss Swamped Barrel
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 13 Inches
Overall Length: 19 Inches
Action: Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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