Original Item: One of a Kind. Here we have a lovely late 18th or early 19th Century French flintlock blunderbuss pistol, named to the famous privateer and slave trader Robert Surcouf. He was very successful in the Indian Ocean, bringing his prizes to Isle de France, today known as Mauritius, and received rewards from the French Government. The pistol is clearly named with gold inlay on the top of the barrel:

Born in and later based at Saint-Malo in Brittany, Surcouf lived from 1773 - 1827. A major thorn in the side of the British Royal Navy, he is credited with taking over 40 prizes during his personal crusade against Great Britain. In October 1800 he captured the "East Indiaman" Kent, for which the French Revolutionary government awarded him the "Legion of Honour". After this he "settled down" as a ship owner, and managed a number or privateer ships. Extensive write ups on Surcouf can be found on Wikipedia and elsewhere. He died in retirement in 1827 and is buried in Saint-Malo. A real French national hero!!!

The French blunderbuss pistol itself is 9 1/2" barrel, 17" in overall length, with a fabulously chiseled and carved wooden stock. It is made very much in the Mediterranean style, very popular at the time, even though most of his victories were in the Indian Ocean. The metalwork is all engraved, embossed, and otherwise decorated. There is a cast brass decorative escutcheon on the back of the wrist, and lots of silver wire inlay below it.

Condition is great, with the expected wear from long age and use. There is some oxidation to the iron components, as is to be expected for a pistol of this age. Still, the lock works correctly, holding at half cock, and firing at full.

A magnificent French maritime themed Pirate's pistol. None better!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1790-1800
Caliber: Blunderbuss about 1" at the muzzle
Ammunition Type: Ball / shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 9 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 17 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.

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 posses, 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. They are sold as collector’s items or as wall hangers. 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.