Original British Cased Pair of Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistols by Buckmaster of London Carried at Trafalgar by Named Midshipman Original Items

Original Items: One of a Kind Cased Set. Now this is an incredible piece of history! This is a very fine Pair of Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistols, made by JOSEPH BUCKMASTER of London. Each is marked BUCKMASTER on the lock plate, and they are 14 inches in overall length. Each is fitted with an 8″ brass barrels, both marked LONDON and IB, with the correct London CROWN / CP black powder proof and CROWN / V viewed markings. The pistols are fitted with all brass mounts, including long eared butt caps, trigger guards, side plate, escutcheons and ramrod pipes. The pistols are in very good condition, and fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

These are all beautifully housed in a mahogany case, which measures 20″ X 10″ 4 1/2″, with two lidded compartments for lead balls and flints. The open compartments contain as follows: A Brass mounted copper Powder Flask, a bullet mold and a brass container for priming powder, with a bottom that moves up by turning the lid. In addition there is an ivory set of parallel rulers for charting a course and a brass mounted chart reading magnifier on short brass legs. Also a tiny Midshipman’s ivory Georgian woman’s head pipe with amber type stem, unfortunately broken and in need of gluing in its fitted leather covered case. The contents are finished off with a pair of slightly magnifying “Ben Franklin” spectacles, fitted with extendable white metal arms.

On the underside of the Case lid is a large brass plaque engraved:-

This pair of flintlock pistols were
carried at the Battle of Trafalgar on
October 21st., 1805. by Midshipman Morgan
of Sugwas Hall in Herefordshire while
on board HMS SIRIUS commanded by
Captain William Prowse
A gift from his family on entering
The Royal Navy

SUGWAS HALL is located in the village of STRETTON SUGWAS, a community dating back to Roman times situated in the County of HEREFORDSHIRE in the West Midlands. It is listed in the Doomsday Book of 1085 and in the Hundred of Grimsworth. SUGWAS HALL was the MORGAN family home in the 1700’s, but sadly it no longer exists, having been demolished in the early 20th Century.

James MORGAN joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman during the reign of KING GEORGE III 1760 – 1820, He was stationed aboard H.M.S. SIRIUS and took part in the famous BATTLE OF TRAFALGAR on October 21st 1805 under the Command of Captain William Prowse. Also included in this cased set are two rather poor photograph reprints of rather tattered old Oil Portraits of both Midshipman JAMES MORGAN and the second of CHARLES MORGAN, his father, who gifted this set to his Son.

A wonderful set with a great back story, the plaque of course being added by the family at a post Trafalgar date to commemorate the family’s participation in the great battle.

A great set, well presented and ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1760
Caliber: Blunderbuss Swamped Pistol Barrel
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 8 inches
Overall Length: 14 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.