Original French Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol with Barrel Marked IBAN BROSAH on Underside Original Items

Original Item: One of a Kind. Very striking, this lovely French sidelock flintlock blunderbuss pistol is fully iron mounted, and features some very nice silver wire inlay work on the stock, some of which is missing. The mountings are relatively simple, though the side plate and trigger guard finial show some nice designs. It has a very nice iron ramrod in the perforated front pipe, and the walnut stock is quite lovely.

Typically French in design, the maker’s name is no longer visible, most likely due to oxidation on the lock plate. We did however remove the barrel, and it is stamped with what looks like IBAN / BROSAH over a *L proof mark, a name that we have unfortunately not been able to turn up much on. There were numerous barrel makers in France and Belgium, and it was simply impossible to catalog them all.

The pistol is equipped with a 6 inch “swamped” blunderbuss barrel and has an overall length of just 11 1/2 inches, making it quite easy to maneuver. The lock features a brass flash pan, typical of French locks from the turn of the 19th century, and it is fully functional, holding at half cock and firing at full.

Overall condition is very nice, showing use and age, as well as some oxidation on the metal components of the pistol. The iron and steel was most likely originally bright, but now it has an overall peppered gray patina. The silver wire inlay looks great, but unfortunately is only about 50% complete now, though the channels are still present. The stock has a great color, with only minor wear and chipping in most areas. The muzzle area however has cracking on both sides from the front barrel pin, a very common place to see this. The wood shrinks slightly over time, but the barrel doesn’t, so the wood unfortunately cracks. There have been some repairs to this area as well.

A very interesting French blunderbuss pistol with a marked barrel. Loads of research potential here! Ready to display!

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1780-1820
Caliber: Swamped Blunderbuss
Ammunition Type: Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 6 inches
Overall Length: 11 1/2 inches
Action: Flintlock Side Action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

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