Original Item: One of a Kind. Very striking, this lovely French sidelock flintlock blunderbuss pistol is fully iron mounted, and features some very nice silver wire inlay work on the stock, some of which is missing. The mountings are relatively simple, though the side plate and trigger guard finial show some nice designs. It has a very nice iron ramrod in the perforated front pipe, and the walnut stock is quite lovely.

Typically French in design, the maker's name is no longer visible, most likely due to oxidation on the lock plate. We did however remove the barrel, and it is stamped with what looks like IBAN / BROSAH over a *L proof mark, a name that we have unfortunately not been able to turn up much on. There were numerous barrel makers in France and Belgium, and it was simply impossible to catalog them all.

The pistol is equipped with a 6 inch "swamped" blunderbuss barrel and has an overall length of just 11 1/2 inches, making it quite easy to maneuver. The lock features a brass flash pan, typical of French locks from the turn of the 19th century, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

Overall condition is very nice, showing use and age, as well as some oxidation on the metal components of the pistol. The iron and steel was most likely originally bright, but now it has an overall peppered gray patina. The silver wire inlay looks great, but unfortunately is only about 50% complete now, though the channels are still present. The stock has a great color, with only minor wear and chipping in most areas. The muzzle area however has cracking on both sides from the front barrel pin, a very common place to see this. The wood shrinks slightly over time, but the barrel doesn't, so the wood unfortunately cracks. There have been some repairs to this area as well.

A very interesting French blunderbuss pistol with a marked barrel. Loads of research potential here! Ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780-1820
Caliber: Swamped Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
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 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.