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LOT 3276
Archer Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss with Underslung Bayonet - NSN, 16 gauge, 14 3/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The three-
stage barrel has Tower private proofs, light scroll engraving at the breech, and an
underslung “snap bayonet.” The bayonet is released by a secondary trigger and is secured by a mechanism within the front of the trigger guard. The ramrod is fitted to the left side of
the stock. The flat lock is signed “ARCHER” and has light border engraving and a non-bridled pan. The furniture is brass with some light floral engraving. It may be by William Archer who appears in London records from 1750-1790 and is known to have made a variety of arms including brass barreled blunderbusses. CONDITION: Fine with aged patina on the brass, mottled gray and brown patina on the iron along with mild pitting, and mild overall wear. The stock is also fine and has some dings and scratches, an old repaired crack at the rear lock screw, and minor edge wear. Mechanically fine, including the bayonet mechanism. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
LOT 3277 H.W. Mortimer Blunderbuss with Brass Lock and Barrel and Snap Bayonet - NSN, 18 gauge, 14 3/8 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Harvey Walklate Mortimer was a gunmaker to King George III and is widely considered one of England’s best gunmakers of the period. His firm is known to have manufactured blunderbusses of several different patterns, including versions for the Royal Mail. This example was likely manufactured c. 1780. The Ordnance private proofed barrel flares to around 1 1/4 inches at the muzzle and has a folding “snap” bayonet with an 11 inch blade and “-H.W. MORTIMER - LONDON-” signed on top. The brass lock has “-H.W. MORTIMER.-” signed at center and a sliding half-cock safety on the stepped tail. The furniture is also brass and features an acorn finial on the trigger guard and scroll, border, and classical martial engraving patterns. The stock has a raised plateau with some incised accents around the engraved iron barrel tang. CONDITION: Fine with mostly bright brass, refinished blue on the iron, some mild pitting mainly on the bayonet, and generally minor wear. The refinished stock is fine and has a repaired crack in the forend tip on the right and mild scratches and dings concentrated on the butt. Mechanically excellent, including the bayonet mechanism. Estimate: 6,000 - 8,000
LOT 3278
Engraved I. Hall Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss - NSN, 12 gauge, 18 5/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock.
This mid-18th century blunderbuss is signed with “I/HALL” on the lock, a diamond over “IH” mark flanked by London commercial proofs on the left at the breech, and “LONDON” on top at the breech. The lock, barrel tang,
brass barrel and brass furniture feature floral and border engraving. The muzzle flares out to just over an inch, and the gauge is estimated above. The stock is smooth and has a raised relief shell carving on top of the wrist. Acorn finial at
the front of the trigger guard. CONDITION: Fine, exhibiting attractive bright surfaces on the lightly polished brass, smooth gray patina on the iron with some light flash pitting, and sharp markings and engraving overall. Stock is very fine as professionally refinished, with some light handling marks, slightly undersized at the toe, a repaired cracked section to the right of the buttplate, and defined carving. Mechanically excellent. Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500
Blunderbuss Marked Twigg, London with Snap Bayonet - NSN, 28 gauge, 11 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Dating to circa 1820, this Birmingham-made blunderbuss has a round three-stage brass barrel with iron spring bayonet above, turned slightly belled muzzle and is marked “LONDON” and marked with post-1813 Birmingham proofs at the left of the breech. The iron barrel tang is fitted with the sliding bayonet release catch, and the flat beveled lock is marked “TWIGG” and has an engraved stepped tail, roller frizzen, and sliding safety. The furniture has floral and border engraving, including a pineapple trigger guard finial. The bore is estimated above and flares to about 1 inch at the muzzle. CONDITION: Good with attractive aged patina on the barrel and furniture, mottled gray patina and oxidation/pitting on the lock and bayonet, and general mild overall wear. The buttplate has denting on the butt from use. The revarnished stock is also good and has distinct checkering, a repair at the forend tip on the right, numerous dings and scratches, and general moderate wear. Mechanically fine. This is a very interesting blunderbuss that definitely looks like it was battle tested in the early 19th century. Estimate: 2,500 - 3,750
LOT 3280 Bennett Brass Barreled Flintlock Blunderbuss - NSN, 14 gauge, 14 1/8 inch part octagon bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. The multi-stage barrel flares out to around 1 1/4 inches at the muzzle and has Ordnance private proofs on the upper left and “ROYAL EXCHANGE LONDON” marked on the breech section. The lock has a large frizzen spring roller, a sliding safety on the stepped tail, and “BENNETT” marked at the center. The furniture is brass and has simple border engraving. The stock has dot and checkerboard checkering on the wrist. CONDITION: Fine with attractively aged patina visible on the brass barrel and furniture, gray patina and mild pitting on the lock, and general scratches and dings. The stock is also fine and has some slight cracks, minor loss below the tail of the lock, distinct checkering, and mild scratches and dings. Mechanically fine.
LOT 3279
Engraved British Brass Barreled Flintlock
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000 185