Blunderbuss Markings - NEW PICS

Andrew hall

Sirs,
Are any of you able to shed light on the meanings of these markings or the likely origin of this blunderbuss. The Rampant Lion and Crown, I assume, indicate English origin, but can we tell anything more specific? The trigger guard has the letter W with a crown above it in 3 places. Aside from that and the markings on the lock, I can't see anything else. Overall length is 29 inches. The barrel is 14.25"






Thank you.

rufe-snow

The picture of the lockplate is quite small, and hard to interpret. That said, the "Rampant Lion" appears to be the marking used on firearms of the British East India Company. This private company actually controlled and ruled India with their own armed forces, until the late 1850's.

Whether the blunderbuss is authentic is another question entirely. The Rampant Lion marking dates to the first quarter of the 19th Century. This seems rather late for the manufacture of this type blunderbuss for military/paramilitary use. It would be best if you could find a collector or dealer who is knowledgeable on the firearms used by the British East India Company, for a hands on.

rhmc24

I have to agree with rufe re East India Co & his suspicion. Altho there are early 1800s blunderbusses, the funnel muzzle does not look right. Hard to tell without a clearer close up view.

Late English style muzzle is more like this one:
http://www.collectorsfirearms.com/admin/product_details.php?itemID=5123

If the gun were made in England, it would have proof marks on the barrel. It may have been made in India with the local maker's design, whether 2 centuries ago or sometime later.

Andrew hall

Better Pictures of the markings:

captkirk3@dslextreme.com

A photo of the Lock Plate would be of great help in ascertaining the pettigree of This old Hand Cannon.....Best....

rufe-snow

Just a thought. Lock and lockplate might be from a original British East India Company musket/pistol? That was later utilized in the construction of the Blunderbuss.


You might consider posting your questions vis a vis the Blunderbuss along with the photos, to this antique firearms forum.

http://www.antiqueguns.com/phorum/list.php?6

A number of collectors/dealers from G B and the continent frequent it. One of them might be able to shed some light, on the origins of your Blunderbuss.

captkirk3@dslextreme.com

Thanks for the enlargement showing the Lock...Its what I suspected...Its Not of British manufacture..The Provisional Proof Mark is To Crude for one thing....and the other thing is that the Rampant Lion is a Crude attempt at Copying a British Acceptance Mark..The biggest differance is that the Provisional Mark on your gun is in Reverse ...I don't believe its an East India Company made Blunderbus..I've owned a half Dozen East India guns and they were very proud of thier workmanship and always put thier Acceptance Marks in a Promenent Place and with a Flare..Engraving was always Clear and Sharp...Its most likely a Belguim Copy of a British Gun....and then again it could Be a Cottage Copy from India...