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LOT 172
British Sea Service Brass
Barrel Flintlock Blunderbuss
with “TOWER 1757” Marked Lock
- NSN, 10 gauge, 16 1/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The multi-
stage barrel has London commercial proof marks and flares to around 1 1/4
inches at the muzzle. The main bore is closer to 10 bore. The rounded lock has the Georgian cipher at the
center, a smaller crown mark below the pan, and “TOWER/1757” at the tail which has a pointed tip. The furniture is
brass. The buttplate is secured by square-head nails. The ramrod has a brass tip and is held by a single ferrule. The lack of a
ramrod entry pipe was common on British “Sea Service” arms used by the Royal Navy.
CONDITION: Fine with aged patina on the brass, mottled gray patina and light oxidation on the lock, and mild wear. The stock is also
fine and has numerous mild scrapes and dings. Mechanically fine.
Provenance: The Norm Flayderman Collection; The Greg Lampe Collection; Property of a Gentleman.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 173
Fine Aston Brass Double Barrel Flintlock
Blunderbuss with Snap Bayonet - NSN,
17 gauge, 14 1/8 inch part octagon bbl.,
bright finish, walnut stock. This early 19th century blunderbuss is signed “ASTON” on the lock and
“MANCHESTER” on the barrel for William Aston of Manchester, England, and has
Ordnance private proof marks on the upper left barrel flat. The barrel is approximately carbine bore
(.65 caliber) and flares to 1 1/4 inches at the belled muzzle and is mounted with a sprung “snap bayonet” with a
10 3/4 blade released by the catch on the barrel tang. The mounts are brass and feature some engraving, including a
stylized pineapple finial on the trigger guard. The walnut stock has a checkered wrist.
CONDITION: Fine with attractively aged patina on the brass barrel and mounts, dark brown appearance on most of the iron. The stock
is also fine with mild scratches and dings and crisp checkering. The safety is broken; otherwise the lock and trigger function fine. The
bayonet spring and latches function well.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 174
Historic Presentation Inscribed
British Brass Barrel Flintlock
Blunderbuss by W. Parker Presented to Officer John Dew for his Services in the Riot
at Kilsby in 1837 - NSN, 10 gauge, 16 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This early
19th century blunderbuss features a two-stage barrel that flares to approximately
1 1/4 inches at the muzzle and has an approximately 10 gauge bore towards the breech. The top of the
barrel is inscribed: “Presented by the London & Birmingham Railway/Company to John Dew Police Officer as a
memorial/Of his services during the Riot at Kilsby April 24th 1837” and is signed “W. PARKER, HOLBORN, LONDON,” on the
octagonal breech section. London proof marks are on the upper left flat at the breech. The flat beveled lock is signed “W. PARKER” at
center and has a frizzen spring roller, sliding safety, and light engraving. The brass mounts are also lightly engraved and include a stylized
pineapple finial on the trigger guard. At least one other of these presentation blunderbusses are known.
The inscription indicates the blunderbuss was presented to a police officer named John Dew for his involvement in quelling the riot at Kilsby in
1837. The riot occurred when the railway laborers attacked two police officers who had arrested two laborers about to take part in a fight. The crowd was said to be two to
three hundred strong, but the officers were able to remove the prisoners. After they did so, the crowd swelled and succeeded in breaking into the station house to free the
prisoners and hurling stones at the police as well as at the house of John Lee where the police were lodged. In order to quell the riot, the officers called to the Weedon barracks
for soldiers for reinforcements. The soldiers and police succeeded in hauling off the ring leaders of the mob. The laborers worked for the London & Birmingham Railway
Company and were engaged in the construction of the Kilsby Tunnel.
CONDITION: Fine with attractively aged patina on the brass barrel and mounts, dark patina on the lock, replaced cock and safety, and mild wear. The barrel is obstructed
internally at the breech. The stock is very good with mild scratches and dings, visible checkering, and chips absent at the front of the forend. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000