Original Item: One of a Kind. This is a very interesting and attractive Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss, made by famed London Gunsmith Durs Egg, right at the end of the 18th Century. The brass fittings are high quality and highly engraved, with the trigger guard terminating in a lovely “acorn” design. It appears to have had a long history having been British military issue at one point, before entering private service as a coaching gun, complete with a spring action folding bayonet.
The blunder buss is marked THE / GEORGE INN / BATH on the brass oval escutcheon plate and No. 27 on the shank of the side folding bayonet which is sprung loaded for instant use. The barrel is a very modest 12 1/2″ in length and is marked LONDON together with British Proof Markings. At one time this blunderbuss was owned by the British Government in that the lock signed D-EGG across the tail bears the Royal Crown over G.R. to center. Only British Military issue weapons were marked with the full royal cypher.
The folding bayonet is situated on the right hand side of the barrel and is retained in it’s “closed” position by a small brass tube, like a ram rod pipe, with a trigger jutting out half way along it’s 1 1/2″ length. The blunderbuss retain’s its original horn tipped ramrod, which is quite attractive. Along the forward section of the barrel it is marked:- LONDON – BATH – BRISTOL, which were the principal 18th century destinations along the route that this coaching gun was used on. The engraving regarding the GEORGE INN would indicate this particular weapon’s home base, so to speak.
Clearly a Government owned Blunderbuss, not Sea Service pattern, then being sold off to a Coaching Line to protect the Coaches whilst travelling across England. Circa 1780 – 1800.
A great item ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: c.1780-1800
Caliber: Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 12 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 27 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
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