[RSWORD]

Originally Posted by M ELEY

021- I've never been much into firearms, but these 2 really had an impact on me. The top is a British boarding pistol from 1780-1800 period, brass octogonal barrel with proof marks, boxlock flintlock, Water's patent spring-loaded bayonet. Moore's Amer Rev book has several pictured. These butt-kickers were good for storming another's ship or reducing a threat of mutiny. The blunderbus barrel allowed for horrible damage close up...
The other boarding pistol is Belgian made with ELG marks, ca 1810 flintlock with a huge bore (?.69). This would be the one someone would purposely stuff iron shavings, tacks, old coins, etc, down to create a shrapnel effect. Note the lanyard ring to attach a rope to prevent the pistol being swept over the side in the heat of battle. Likewise, no ramrod or place for one...these were a one-shot deal!

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