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LOT 1276
Rare Documented Late 17th Century King William III British Flintlock Saddle Ring Carbine Published in Two Reference Books - NSN, 69 cal., 36 inch round
bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This carbine is featured on page 5 of “The Military Arms of Canada” in Plates 8 and 9 and is also on page
5 in Plate 7 of Blackmore’s “British Military Firearms, 1650-1850.”
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOKS THE MILITARY ARMS OF CANADA AND BRITISH MILITARY FIREARMS: 1630-1850 BY BLACKMORE
The three-stage barrel has a small brass blade front sight and is secured by two barrel bands and a screw through the breech into the trigger plate. The barrel is marked at the breech with a “crown/ WR” for King William III and a “crown/rosette” for King James II on top and a “crown/RB” maker’s mark for Robert Brooke. We previously sold a James II carbine with the same maker’s mark as well as “BROOKE” signed on the lock, and another carbine of this pattern is
noted in the collection of the Royal Armouries with the same royal markings and a “BROOKE”
signed lock. The early “banana” profile lock has the “crown/WR” cipher of King William III, no bridles, and is secured by three screws. The middle screw also secures the saddle ring bar on the left which also threads into an eye on the rear barrel band.
The right side of the paddle shaped butt is marked “233,” and there is another unclear marking behind the iron trigger guard tang as well as what appears to be “T B” or “T P” by the tail of the lock. Robert Brooke was an Ordnance contractor in 1661-1689, and the latter was the first year of William III’s reign after he overthrew James II and became the last person to successfully invade England. William’s reign with his wife Mary II was short, lasting only until 1702 after which he was succeeded by Queen Anne. Both his short reign and the ages have made arms from the period very scarce. CONDITION: Fine with a gray patina, some minor surface pitting, and mild overall wear. The stock is very good and has moderate dings and scratches, a piece of old adhesive on the right side of the butt, some cracks and chips in the forend, a faint crack on the left at the breech, and some small insect holes in the butt. Mechanically fine. This is an incredibly rare and early English flintlock carbine. Provenance: The George A. Tweedie Collection; Property of a Gentleman. Estimate: 8,500 - 13,000
inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The bore of this large blunderbuss from the late 17th century measures 1 3/4 inches at the muzzle and has only light flare from around 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 inches for the main bore. Given the large size, it may have been mean to be fitted as a swivel
gun. The barrel is marked with a “*/GT” marking at the breech along with London proof and
view marks. The breech ring has a sighting notch. The furniture is brass. The wrist escutcheon is engraved with a profile of a man. Other components have floral engraving. The lock is signed “TAYLOR” and has floral engraving, a bird head shaped dog catch, horizontally acting sear, tumbler with half and full-cock positions, and a heart stamped on the inside of the lockplate. The stock has the distinctive early style rounded heel and nail fitted buttplate.
CONDITION: Fine with a coat of varnish over the metal giving it a dark brown coloration and aged patina on the brass. The engraving and markings are mostly distinct. There is some mild pitting on the lock. The refinished stock is very good and has a repair visible through the wrist and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
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LOT 1277
Massive Taylor Marked Brass Barrel Doglock Blunderbuss - NSN, 1 3/4 Inch gauge, 28 1/2