Blunderbuss id

[justafeedboy]

http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1455.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1460.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1458.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1457.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1456.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1455.jpg
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee479/justafeedboy/IMG_1452.jpg


This is a gun I am looking to put a lock on, I was hoping to get a little more insight as to when it was made. My grand father took it off of kids playing in the streets of England during WW II

 

[JV Puleo]

Some time after 1813 but, given the shape of the barrel (which is fairly old fashioned) I'd guess before 1820. It also was never converted to percussion. It is certainly Birmingham made and may or may not have had a maker's name on the lock.

The date comes from the B'ham proof marks, which were instituted in 1813.

 

[Zonie]

In the book "Pistols of the World" by Claude Blair a proof mark like you show in your photo is described as,
"Private proof-mark of the British Board of Ordnance. From the middle of the eighteenth century this was struck twice on the work of all private gunmakers proved at the official government proof-houses at the Tower of London and, from 1797, in Birmingham. Anyone could have his guns proved here on payment of a fee...." (p186)

That could allow for a build date in the 1740-1760 time period or later.

Finding a replacement lock that is suitable for this blunderbus will be difficult if your desire is to replace the lock with one like the original gun had.

Perhaps I'm being picky but replacing the lock with a German style would not be something I would condone.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

ditto Mr Puleo. Post 1813 Birmingham Proof house marks and no eveidence of earlier markings. Very nice piece.

A late English flint would be the lock for this. You could check the Chambers Late Ketland or a few other production locks to see if they can be altered to fit.

 

[Trkdriver99]

If you wish you could find some one good to take a gunmakers lock and make it fit the space already there. Not cheep, but closer than a German lock on a british musket.

Ronnie

 

[JV Puleo]

Zonie,

The Ordnance Private Proof mark has crossed scepters and crown - just like those illustrated - but does not have the letters BPC and V added to them. When the B'ham proof house opened they adopted what had been the Ordnance Private mark, simply adding those letters. So... without the letters the date is probably before 1805 (exact date is not known) and with the letters, after 1813.

 

[TFoley]

My grand father took it off of kids playing in the streets of England during WW II

Killjoy.

tac
Supporter of the Cape Meares Lighthouse Restoration Fund

 

[hoochiepapa]

Jack Brooks restores old flintlocks, and has some old locks on hand.