Original Item: Only one available. Now this was the first Blunderbuss pistol with a spring loaded bayonet patented by John Waters on 8th March 1781 under Patent No. 1824.
The spring bayonet itself is marked THO.GILL for Thomas Gill a large edged weapon manufacturer to the British Crown. The Pistol is marked WATERS GILL & CO. on one side of the brass frame. The other side is marked LONDON over the Order No.977
This was an interesting concept that employed a separate trigger in the rear of the trigger guard to activate the spring bayonet. Classic John Waters design this pistol comes with its steel ramrod with brass tip in side mounted ramrod pies to the left side of the barrel.
Under the barrel there is a stamping of USN, possibly, but unlikely referring to U.S. Naval use, probably just owner’s initials.
An extremely scarce early example, ready to display.