Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss Coaching Gun, which we estimate was probably made circa 1820, after the Birmingham proof house began operation in 1813. It measures 28 1/2 inches in overall length with a 12 1/2 inch swamped brass barrel. These were very popular as self defense items on the coaching lines during the early 19th century, as they were relatively short and allowed a wide spread of projectiles, definitely helpful as coach robbers rarely worked alone.

The lock of the gun is definitely an upmarket example, with a bridled powder pan frizzen support, and a roller on the end of the frizzen spring. The lock is however quite worn, which unfortunately has removed any markings that were on the plate, and there were not any maker markings on the interior either. It now shows an oxidized patina on the exterior, with some past pitting and other oxidation issues. It is functional, but over the years the tumbler became quite worn, and a third position was added due to how close the "half cock" position was to the frizzen.

The blunderbuss shows a good amount of wear overall, but it still has faint CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / BPC "proof" and CROWN / CROSSED SCEPTERS / V "viewed" marks from the English city of Birmingham on the top near the breech. These are the correct markings for 1813 and later manufacture. It comes complete with brass tipped wooden ramrod, though with a blunderbuss these are really just for show.

Condition overall is very good, showing a lovely glow on the wood and a nice mustard colored patina on the brass barrel and mountings. The stock has a beautiful color, and still retains much of the original checkering around the wrist. There are some dents and chips, as well as some repaired cracks on the left side of the muzzle. There are some wood filler repairs, and this definitely looks to have seen a good amount of use during its service life.

A lovely and hard to find original brass flintlock blunderbuss, most likely used on the old stagecoach lines in Great Britain. Ready to research and display!

Specifications: 

Year of Manufacture: circa 1820
Caliber: Blunderbuss Swamped Barrel
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 11 1/2 inches
Overall Length: 28 12 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.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.