Blunderbuss for comments

fernando · 21st July 2015, 03:55 PM

Thank you so much Roland

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I am not a shooter, though; it was enough during military (war) service

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Also not a fan of replicas; will have to do by just imagining the noise of this thing, which i agree must be a hell of a bang

.

Still ..
In any case, i like to have these things as much functional as possible ... mechanicaly wise.
A couple points in this one needing review; the frizzen spring needs some more tension and the hammer doesn't hold in both half and full cock positions (tumbler worn ?).

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Roland_M · 21st July 2015, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

A couple points in this one needing review; the frizzen spring needs some more tension and the hammer doesn't hold in both half and full cock positions (tumbler worn ?).

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It is not just an impressive big caliber, it is also a beauty. The gun is not much decorated but I think it is high quality manufacturing.
I especially like the wooden shaft.
I would say, your gun is either from a ship or a carriage as a defense weapon. This is probably the reason for the conic muzzle, a ship or carriage is quite unstable during loading process.

In most cases the tumbler is worn, sometimes you can refurbish it. But more often you need a new tumbler for 100-150€.

Open the gun only in case you really want to shoot with it!

Despite i had around ten sessions with black powder guns on the shooting range, every single shot put a smile on my face, a massive and deep BANG and tons of smoke

.

Roland

Fernando K · 21st July 2015, 09:15 PM

dear Fernando

The attribution of date seems correct, by the screw holding the barrel, and the rear plate fixation with nails.

A remarkable thing is the job of the octagonal barrel and the false mouth bronze, despite being a strong weapon in the decoration rigging and wood carving. Can not see, despite the pictures, if the false mouth is a macisa piece or barrel is only covered with a sheet of brass, well placed

In all Spanish literature, the faceted head is defined as "Madrid" or "Catalan", and of course the hook waist for a weapon of that weight, is for a "sling" or shoulder. The stick does not appear to be original, given the size of the beads.

For me, IMHO, I would have to think of a naval blunderbuss.

Affectionately. Fernando K

Marcus den toom · 21st July 2015, 10:19 PM

Couldn't withhold myself from commenting now instead of tomorrow, but this is a very attractive blunderbuss.
The brass muzzle section is, as far as i can see, only sheeted around an iron barrel mouth. When looking at the inside of the barrel mouth you can see the iron oxidation and also some small iron overlap on the brass muzzle section. Wouldn't make sence to create a all brass end for a gun, it would only cause a serious weakspot at one of the largest stress point of a barrel

The design is great looking and certainly fit for your staggering collection Nando my friend.
My position on the calibre is based on information i recieved after my own blunderbuss purchase. These guns where mainly shot with buckshot balls, so probably 10-11 mm lead balls, 10 pieces orso.
The swamped barrel mouth supports this, it wouldn't make sence with a solid lead/iron ball... blunderbussess where intended to scatter and hit as many targets at short distance. The iron looks to good for naval use i think, but who knows

What i absolutely like about this gun is the "belt" (?) hook that has survived till this day!! you don't see that to often. Take good care of this one, the market for blunderbussess has somewhat shrunk in the last few years, but such an quality item will be priceless (even more so than now) in a few years.

edit: my own blunderbuss with heavy pitted iron as comparison
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=ketland

M ELEY · 22nd July 2015, 08:12 AM

Just a repeat of my PM to you, Fernando! Wow! A spectacular piece for your collection! I have no problem saying it could very well be (as others have already pointed out) be a naval piece. The lack of markings could point to 'private purchase' for privateers and/or merchant class ships. As I said, surprised there's no channel for a mounted swivel on this monster. Although blunderbuss were used for stage coaches, by armed guards, etc, I find it hard to imagine this beast for that purpose. As a 'rail gun' packed with partridge shot, it would have been a formidable weapon!

fernando · 22nd July 2015, 03:00 PM

Thank you all for your comments, Gentlemen.
Fernando, the brass section on the barrel mouth is only a sheet applied to the steel and, surprisingly, not fully around, but only covering the visual part of it; definitely a decoration purpose.
I see your point that the hook would be for a sling (talabarte) due to this gun's weight, although its shape is precisely that of a waist belt hook (gancho de cinturon).
You are right in that the ramrod (baqueta) is not the correct one; it is going to be a problem to get a wooden one with a brass or bone tip, but i will give it a try.

Marcus, i agree with buck shot being basicaly the ammunition for these things; even some times all kinds of junk pieces, as per circumstances. When i mentioned 'caliber' was only to give an idea of the bore diameter.

Thank you Mark for the naval approach

. It is possible, yes; but we can't discard the stage coach or armed guard possibilities, this one based on the waist/shoulder hook presence.

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Shakethetrees · 22nd July 2015, 04:51 PM

Great piece! It would fit well into my collection!

If you look more closely at the last photo of the muzzle, you'll see that the iron barrel shows itself at the muzzle by a rough ring maybe one or two mm thick. The reason it appears that the brass bell only covers the exposed part of the barrel is that the entire flat of the muzzle has darkened and corroded with age. Only the exposed edge has had handling wear or polishing that exposes what appears to be a partial wrap.

This is a fairly unique bit of embellishment that I might have seen only once or twice before, although in not very familiar with Portuguese guns.

But, to restate it, the rusted bore and muzzle shows by reason of its different texture than the darkened brass bell.

Great piece!

21st July 2015, 03:55 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you so much Roland . I am not a shooter, though; it was enough during military (war) service . Also not a fan of replicas; will have to do by just imagining the noise of this thing, which i agree must be a hell of a bang . Still .. In any case, i like to have these things as much functional as possible ... mechanicaly wise. A couple points in this one needing review; the frizzen spring needs some more tension and the hammer doesn't hold in both half and full cock positions (tumbler worn ?). . Last edited by fernando; 21st July 2015 at 05:28 PM.

22nd July 2015, 03:00 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you all for your comments, Gentlemen. Fernando, the brass section on the barrel mouth is only a sheet applied to the steel and, surprisingly, not fully around, but only covering the visual part of it; definitely a decoration purpose. I see your point that the hook would be for a sling (talabarte) due to this gun's weight, although its shape is precisely that of a waist belt hook (gancho de cinturon). You are right in that the ramrod (baqueta) is not the correct one; it is going to be a problem to get a wooden one with a brass or bone tip, but i will give it a try. Marcus, i agree with buck shot being basicaly the ammunition for these things; even some times all kinds of junk pieces, as per circumstances. When i mentioned 'caliber' was only to give an idea of the bore diameter. Thank you Mark for the naval approach . It is possible, yes; but we can't discard the stage coach or armed guard possibilities, this one based on the waist/shoulder hook presence. . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 22nd July 2015 at 07:52 PM.

21st July 2015, 09:15 PM	#3
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	dear Fernando The attribution of date seems correct, by the screw holding the barrel, and the rear plate fixation with nails. A remarkable thing is the job of the octagonal barrel and the false mouth bronze, despite being a strong weapon in the decoration rigging and wood carving. Can not see, despite the pictures, if the false mouth is a macisa piece or barrel is only covered with a sheet of brass, well placed In all Spanish literature, the faceted head is defined as "Madrid" or "Catalan", and of course the hook waist for a weapon of that weight, is for a "sling" or shoulder. The stick does not appear to be original, given the size of the beads. For me, IMHO, I would have to think of a naval blunderbuss. Affectionately. Fernando K

21st July 2015, 10:19 PM	#4
Marcus den toom Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Netherlands Posts: 534	Couldn't withhold myself from commenting now instead of tomorrow, but this is a very attractive blunderbuss. The brass muzzle section is, as far as i can see, only sheeted around an iron barrel mouth. When looking at the inside of the barrel mouth you can see the iron oxidation and also some small iron overlap on the brass muzzle section. Wouldn't make sence to create a all brass end for a gun, it would only cause a serious weakspot at one of the largest stress point of a barrel The design is great looking and certainly fit for your staggering collection Nando my friend. My position on the calibre is based on information i recieved after my own blunderbuss purchase. These guns where mainly shot with buckshot balls, so probably 10-11 mm lead balls, 10 pieces orso. The swamped barrel mouth supports this, it wouldn't make sence with a solid lead/iron ball... blunderbussess where intended to scatter and hit as many targets at short distance. The iron looks to good for naval use i think, but who knows What i absolutely like about this gun is the "belt" (?) hook that has survived till this day!! you don't see that to often. Take good care of this one, the market for blunderbussess has somewhat shrunk in the last few years, but such an quality item will be priceless (even more so than now) in a few years. edit: my own blunderbuss with heavy pitted iron as comparison http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=ketland

22nd July 2015, 08:12 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Just a repeat of my PM to you, Fernando! Wow! A spectacular piece for your collection! I have no problem saying it could very well be (as others have already pointed out) be a naval piece. The lack of markings could point to 'private purchase' for privateers and/or merchant class ships. As I said, surprised there's no channel for a mounted swivel on this monster. Although blunderbuss were used for stage coaches, by armed guards, etc, I find it hard to imagine this beast for that purpose. As a 'rail gun' packed with partridge shot, it would have been a formidable weapon!

22nd July 2015, 04:51 PM	#7
Shakethetrees Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Louisiana Posts: 363	Great piece! It would fit well into my collection! If you look more closely at the last photo of the muzzle, you'll see that the iron barrel shows itself at the muzzle by a rough ring maybe one or two mm thick. The reason it appears that the brass bell only covers the exposed part of the barrel is that the entire flat of the muzzle has darkened and corroded with age. Only the exposed edge has had handling wear or polishing that exposes what appears to be a partial wrap. This is a fairly unique bit of embellishment that I might have seen only once or twice before, although in not very familiar with Portuguese guns. But, to restate it, the rusted bore and muzzle shows by reason of its different texture than the darkened brass bell. Great piece!