Original British Flintlock Blunderbuss by Jordan of London marked to Bankers of 59 Strand – later Coutts & Co. – dated 1747 Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. This lovely British Flintlock Blunderbuss was made to order in 1747, marked on the lock by JORDAN of London. It features a 16 inch long iron blunderbuss barrel, and measures 32 inches in overall length. It is all brass mounted, typical for the period, and is really a fantastic piece!

It is recorded that Thomas Jordan was a London gunmaker who produced arms for the British Ordnance from 1733 until 1762. It’s known that he marked his locks with his name spelled either with an I or J in Jordan. The blunderbuss has the correct “banana” shaped lock plate for the period, with a single screw behind the hammer, also period correct. The lock plate is fully marked with Crown over G.R. mid lock for King George II, with IORDAN / 1747 across the tail. There is also the “Lock Viewers Mark” (Crown over Broad Arrow) underneath the frizzen. Action is strong and holds at half cock, firing correctly at full cock.

The barrel is marked very faintly on the breech with British proofs, with the top one looking like CROWN / V, but really too faint to be sure. The lower proof is definitely the CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS of William Ketland of Birmingham, England, who was so prolific that his marking later became the Birmingham City Proof mark.

The back of the wrist bears a Brown Bess style brass escutcheon, which is engraved:

BANKERS
– of –
59
STRAND

This refers to John Campbell, who started his private Bank in 1692 and was joined by George Middleton in 1708. They moved to 59 STRAND in 1739 and were joined by JAMES COUTTS in 1755 and later THOMAS COUTTS in 1761. They remained at 59 Strand and became COUTTs & Co. in 1795 and became the ROYAL BANKERS. In 1739 they were known as just THE BANKERS OF 59 STRAND and eventually moved to 440 STRAND in 1904.

Still in existence, COUTTS & CO. is still a highly respected bank patronized by the Elite of British Society. The bottom of the trigger guard is marked G / 4, most likely the rack number, as Banks of the time would require numerous protection weapons to keep the funds secure during transport.

The wood stock is solid, and has a great dark brown color, showing some old stress cracks in the wood. There do look to be some expertly executed repairs near the muzzle from the working life of the blunderbuss. There is also a small split by the rear lock screw near the breech, a common areas to see stress fractures in the wood. The blunderbuss still has a original brass tipped ramrod, but it is most likely a working life replacement.

A very early and most compelling early Banking Blunderbuss dated 1747, in excellent working condition which would present wonderfully in any collection. Ready to Display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: 1747
Caliber:  Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Overall Length: 32 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. International customers should always consult their country’s antique gun laws prior to ordering.