Original 18th Century British Tower-Marked Iron Barrel Blunderbuss marked FORT WILLIAM – Circa 1780 Original Items

Original Item: Only One Available. Everything I would always hope for this is a truly romantic British Military Blunderbuss from circa 1780 that is marked on the iron barrel FORT WILLIAM. Completely standard with brass 2nd model Brown Bess furniture with an iron swamped barrel measuring 21″ and complete with correct all steel ram rod. It features a very nice early style Brown Bess lock marked with CROWN over G.R. and TOWER across the lock plate’s tail, indicating it was for military use. The hammer is an early form of Swan neck cock.

There are some interesting markings on the stock, including a Broad Arrow over B.O., for the Board of Ordnance. There is also Broad Arrow over 1803, the last time it was inspected. All in all in excellent tight condition ready to display in all British Collection.

So the big question would be, which FORT WILLIAM is this Blunderbuss referring to?

The choices are THREE:-

1. FORT WILLIAM in LOCHABER, INVERNESS in Scotland close to Glen Coe. Besieged by the Jacobite Rebels in 1745 it was never taken.
2. FORT WILLIAM in CULCUTTA, INDIA, built in 1696, temporarily taken in 1756 by the NAWAB OF BENGAL, SIRA UD DAULAH who occupied the Fort for a short time. Vastly expanded, the old fort becoming a Custom’s House in 1766 the huge expansion known as “THE LUNGS OF KOLKATA”. Became British India’s Armory in the 19th Century and is now the is the headquarters of Independent INDIA’S Eastern Command since 1947.
3. FORT WILLIAM in AMERICA, actually in CANADA. Now Fort William National Park in Western Ontario it was started as a French Fur Trading Post in 1681 but with Great Britain taking Canada after the Battle of the Heights of Abraham, Quebec in 1759 it was hugely expanded in 1784 and claims to be “The World’s Greatest Fur Trading Post”

So there are the three possibilities, the buying collector can decide. A really attractive weapon with possibly a very varied history, Ready to display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780
Caliber:  Blunderbuss 1 5/8 inches at muzzle
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Barrel Length:  21 inches
Overall Length: 36 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.