A rather rustic blunderbuss

gbxfb · 20th July 2012, 09:12 PM

That's an interesting piece you have there Fernando. I was wondering if the lock might be by Richard Edge (senior and junior) who were working as Board of Ordnance contractors 1757 -1774. Reference:- De Witt Bailey.

I've seen quite a few touch holes that appear to have been reamed out rather than gas cut. As a general rule antique arms with a common breach even when in a good state of preservation tend to have touch holes rather larger than modern reproductions especially military pieces. This was possibly to improve ignition reliability at the expense of a reduction in breach pressure.

It's possible that a previous owner didn't trust the hoop construction barrel and was trying to reduce breach pressure, although 8mm is excessive by any standard and would reduce the effectiveness of the arm. With this enlarged touch hole the lock will self prime with almost any grade of powder if the frizzen is closed on loading. As a final observation the touch hole is not centered in the pan and its excessive size may just be a crude attempt to reach the ideal sunrise position!

I hope this has been of some help.

Best regards,
Simon.

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20th July 2012, 09:12 PM	#3
gbxfb Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 11	That's an interesting piece you have there Fernando. I was wondering if the lock might be by Richard Edge (senior and junior) who were working as Board of Ordnance contractors 1757 -1774. Reference:- De Witt Bailey. I've seen quite a few touch holes that appear to have been reamed out rather than gas cut. As a general rule antique arms with a common breach even when in a good state of preservation tend to have touch holes rather larger than modern reproductions especially military pieces. This was possibly to improve ignition reliability at the expense of a reduction in breach pressure. It's possible that a previous owner didn't trust the hoop construction barrel and was trying to reduce breach pressure, although 8mm is excessive by any standard and would reduce the effectiveness of the arm. With this enlarged touch hole the lock will self prime with almost any grade of powder if the frizzen is closed on loading. As a final observation the touch hole is not centered in the pan and its excessive size may just be a crude attempt to reach the ideal sunrise position! I hope this has been of some help. Best regards, Simon.