3374 HIGH QUALITY COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION SMALL BORE

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 2,500.00 USD
BRASS BARREL BLUNDERBUSS BY I. & W. RICHARDS OF BIRMINGHAM. Cal. .55. 1.1" at muzzle. S# NSN. This high-condition, small-size blunderbuss has a 12" octagon to round brass barrel with a flared cannon-turned muzzle. Birmingham black powder proofs on top left, flat at rear. Lock with a slightly arched and chamfered plate with a rebated tail is fitted with a serpentine cock, an integral rounded pan, a bridled friction frizzen, and a feather spring with a bulbous finial. Lockplate and cock are double-lined border engraved. "I & W" "Richards" is at the center of the plate (Joseph & William working in Birmingham, 1799–1817). The European walnut stock with handrail comb extends to within 2" of the muzzle and is pinned to the barrel. Brass mounts are somewhat older than one would expect given the working dates of this maker. Buttplate has a broad steeple-type top tang, and the double-beaded trigger guard has an acorn finial. The sideplate is of long-pierced style and consists of nicely engraved looping ribbons. Hickory ramrod with steel worm tail mounts through a single beaded pipe and matching thimble. A crestplate at the top of the grip is engraved with the monogram "GM.". There is a scrolled silver wire inlay around the barrel tang. CONDITION: very fine. Brass showing a light brown patina with little evidence of old cleaning and clear engraving. Lock has a mostly gray patina with bright highlights. Some case-hardening color is evident on the cock. Stock retains most of its original oil finish and shows light wear. Bore is good. Mechanically fine. The tip of the ramrod is missing. (01-24416/MGM). ANTIQUE. $2,000-2,500.