Blunderbuss

fernando · 1st October 2008, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by celtan

Actually, I envy you the availability of Fer as your potential nom-de-guerre.

In pre-roman Galicia, Fer meant Fire. In post-Roman Galicia, it meant Iron. That's the base for the Her-nandez/ Fer-nandez last name. Just as the Her-rrero / Ferrero (The [H] was pronounced lat. [F]/eng. [PH]). In pre-roman Galicia, Iron wss Ir/Er, the basis for Iron and Ehre...

So Fer-nando would mean Fire / Iron something or other...

Have to Love phylology....

: )

Phylo what? I want to be one, too

Yeah, we actually write and say Ferro and Ferreiro over here

.
But i don't know why, when you call me Fer, i thaught you wanted to sound English

Fernando

celtan · 6th October 2008, 04:52 PM

Oh No! That version would be "Ferd", and I'm sorry to say, it would sound nerdish, and Ferdie would be even worse.Don't take my word for it, just ask some of the local posters who hight from the misty isles...

Now that I think about it, that's how the galegos refer to Britain, or was it Ireland?. Misty isles. Is it the same everywhere else?

Fer, OTOH, sounds kinda cool. A suitable name even for "World of Warcraft".

: )

Myself, I hate to be called Manny. Too culturally hybrid.

Toots!

Manuel / Manolo

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

Phylo what? I want to be one, too

Yeah, we actually write and say Ferro and Ferreiro over here

.
But i don't know why, when you call me Fer, i thaught you wanted to sound English

Fernando

celtan · 6th October 2008, 05:03 PM

Similar blunderbusses found on the net

celtan · 6th October 2008, 05:12 PM

As mine was originally found, the other side was utterly covered with a thick mushy whitish fungi coat...quite fetching!

M ELEY · 11th October 2008, 06:01 AM

Saw this piece awhile back and wanted to comment...

I was thinking along the same track as Gene/Atlantia here. A blunderbuss in the British fashion with decorative markings resembling that seen on E. Indian weapons. Let's consider just a few points...

Blunderbuss in most countries were MOSTLY used for guarding stage coaches, as "wall guns" on forts (usually mounted as swivel) or as boarding pieces on ships.

The brass pieces very typically (but not always, of course) were used as maritime arms because they retarded the rust effects of the sea air.

It does appear of the British pattern and the Brits certainly were in India at the time.

Although the designs could be from a number of ethnographic locations, with the evidence above, India should definitely be considered (and likewise, I don't believe these designs look European in the least).

There are no markings for the EIC/East India Company, because this could possibly be a "private purchase" boarding/defence gun. Keep in mind that far more ships that carried boarding axes, cutlass, pikes, etc, were either privateer vessels or merchant-type vessels with weapons for defence against boarding than there were naval/government-marked pieces.

That being said, without some provenance, marking, ship name, owner name or rack number (sometimes found on maritime pieces), this is all just speculation, but a possibility. I have seen some impressive boarding axes from India of the early 19th century which mimic nicely both the British axe and French 'hache de bord' pattern of 1830. Most are completely unmarked, but some have floral designs of a similar pattern to the one on this piece. (One particular example was an impressive combination weapon of flintlock/boarding axe).

Very nice piece!

celtan · 14th October 2008, 10:38 PM

Thanks M,

I will dismount the BB upon my return from the "Battle Of The Hook", and will post pics of the innards as soon as feasible.
Best, and thanks again for your input.

M

Bill M · 16th October 2008, 05:11 AM

Have you compared the stock with the American Revolutionary war pieces, like the Brown Bess?

6th October 2008, 05:03 PM	#3
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Similar blunderbusses found on the net Attached Images

11th October 2008, 06:01 AM	#5
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,156	My 2 cents... Saw this piece awhile back and wanted to comment... I was thinking along the same track as Gene/Atlantia here. A blunderbuss in the British fashion with decorative markings resembling that seen on E. Indian weapons. Let's consider just a few points... Blunderbuss in most countries were MOSTLY used for guarding stage coaches, as "wall guns" on forts (usually mounted as swivel) or as boarding pieces on ships. The brass pieces very typically (but not always, of course) were used as maritime arms because they retarded the rust effects of the sea air. It does appear of the British pattern and the Brits certainly were in India at the time. Although the designs could be from a number of ethnographic locations, with the evidence above, India should definitely be considered (and likewise, I don't believe these designs look European in the least). There are no markings for the EIC/East India Company, because this could possibly be a "private purchase" boarding/defence gun. Keep in mind that far more ships that carried boarding axes, cutlass, pikes, etc, were either privateer vessels or merchant-type vessels with weapons for defence against boarding than there were naval/government-marked pieces. That being said, without some provenance, marking, ship name, owner name or rack number (sometimes found on maritime pieces), this is all just speculation, but a possibility. I have seen some impressive boarding axes from India of the early 19th century which mimic nicely both the British axe and French 'hache de bord' pattern of 1830. Most are completely unmarked, but some have floral designs of a similar pattern to the one on this piece. (One particular example was an impressive combination weapon of flintlock/boarding axe). Very nice piece!

6th October 2008, 05:12 PM	#4
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	As mine was originally found, the other side was utterly covered with a thick mushy whitish fungi coat...quite fetching!

14th October 2008, 10:38 PM	#6
celtan Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: PR, USA Posts: 679	Thanks M, I will dismount the BB upon my return from the "Battle Of The Hook", and will post pics of the innards as soon as feasible. Best, and thanks again for your input. M

16th October 2008, 05:11 AM	#7
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Have you compared the stock with the American Revolutionary war pieces, like the Brown Bess?