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LOT 3228
Clarke of Dublin Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss - NSN,
12 gauge, 14 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock.
Manufactured by Nicholas Clarke of Dublin, Ireland, who was active
1787-1811. The lock is signed “CLARKE” and the part octagon barrel is
signed “CLARKE DUBLIN” on the top flat and marked “N-T 2813” (registration number from North Tipperary County, Ireland) ahead of the transition to
round. The bore measured approximately .71 caliber and flares to 1 1/2 inches at the belled muzzle. The lock is iron and the mounts are brass.
CONDITION: Good with an attractively aged patina on the brass, some oxidation and shallow pitting on the lock, cock, and frizzen, and numerous
scattered small nicks on the barrel. The wood is also very good with a crack ahead of the triggerguard, repaired cracks off the upper tang and on the forend,
and areas with some filler. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 3227
Documented Massive British Brass Barrel
Flintlock Blunderbuss - NSN, 4 bore
gauge, 28 inch round bbl., bright finish,
walnut stock. This massive blunderbuss is
approximately 4 bore and flares to just under
2 inches at the muzzle. It is pictured and discussed on pages 280-283 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume
I: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George Moller. He notes: “The lock of this blunderbuss is dated ‘20,’ the last two
numerals of the year 1720. Like many blunderbusses made before the middle of the 18th century, it has a brass barrel dating
from the late 1680s, salvaged from an earlier arm.” The barrel has William III era proofs, an unclear maker’s mark, and
“44” on the breech section. The bridle-less lock has the early Georgian cipher at the center and “TOWER/20” on the tail.
The plate is flat and is secured by three screws. The inside has “crown/30,” “P,” and “18” marks. The stock has a storekeeper
mark on the right, “crown/10” behind the trigger guard, and brass furniture.
CONDITION: Very good with attractive aged patina on the brass barrel and furniture and smooth dark gray patina
and minor oxidation on the lock. The refinished stock is good and has been cracked through the upper wrist and has
chips absent under the lock and general mild dings and scratches. The frizzen spring appears to be a replacement and
doesn’t properly contact the frizzen; otherwise, the lock is mechanically fine.
Provenance: The George Moeller Collection; Private Collection.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
LOT 3229
Extraordinarily Rare
Engraved J. & W. Richards All-
Brass Boxlock Flintlock Blunderbuss with Sprung Underslung Bayonet - NSN, 28 gauge, 13 3/4
inch round bbl., brass finish, walnut stock. Manufactured circa 1810, this is an extremely rare
example of a boxlock blunderbuss, an action type normally associated with pistols. Joseph and William Richards worked at 16 Staining Lane,
London, 1808–10 and had retail premises at 62, Strand, London. They also worked as gun and rifle makers at 49 New Street, Birmingham, 1799-1817,
from where Joseph carried on alone until 1830. The three-stage round barrel has a flared muzzle and turned moldings. The sprung bayonet is fitted beneath,
and the ramrod is housed to left side. The right side of the breech is struck with Tower private proof marks and the maker’s mark. The engraved boxlock action is signed “J
& W RICHARDS” (left) and “LONDON” (right) and has engraved iron fittings, including the trigger guard which has an extension forming the bayonet latch that is released by
a second trigger. The figured walnut buttstock it mounted with an engraved brass buttplate. The wooden ramrod has a dark horn tip. The bore is estimated.
CONDITION: Very good with a pleasing bronze colored patina. The engraving is clear on the brass parts. The iron parts have a dark almost blue patina and some scattered corrosion
pock marking. The stock is also very good with scattered age related storage and handling marks. Mechanically excellent, including the bayonet which snaps into position correctly.
Estimate: 4,000 - 6,000
LOT 3230
Fine 1802 Dated East India Company Nock Brass Barrel
Flintlock Blunderbuss Swivel Gun - NSN, 1 inch cal., 22
1/4 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This
impressive blunderbuss has an approximately 1 inch bore
that flares to 1 5/8 inches at the belled muzzle. The barrel and
lock have the East India Company heart along with “1802” and
“NOCK.” The barrel also has London proof and view marks flanking Henry Nock’s “*/HN” maker’s mark on the upper left. A
“crown/4” marking is found on the barrel and barrel tang, and the lock has a “crown/2” marking below the priming pan.
The mounts are primarily brass. An iron swivel mount is fitted to the forend of the heavy walnut buttstock which also has
an East India Co. stamp on the right side of the butt, and the gun includes a wooden ramrod.
CONDITION: Fine with dark aged patina on the barrel, lighter aged patina on the brass mounts, gray and artificial brown
patina on the lock and barrel tang, darker brown and black coloration on the swivel mounts long with headed colors, and
general mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some dings and scratches, a faint crack on the left at the breech,
repaired chip at the barrel tang, and a couple other small chips. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 5,000 - 8,000
As pictured & described
in American Military
Shoulder Arms
Volume I: Colonial and
Revolutionary Arms by
Moller
148