So what is a Blunderbuss?

[Capt. Jas.]

And to add more confusion, many 18th century fowling pieces had muzzles with flared muzzles, both inside and outside whereas fuzees had a cylinder bore. :thumbsup:

Was such flaring on fowlers done primarily to ease in starting the wads/cards? If so or not, was there any common amount of flaring done?

Gus

It appears that it was done with the intention to improve patterns. Some barrels were relieved in the internal breech area as well and some of those were "roughened".

As far as standardized amounts, I doubt it. I think this procedure was done with a mandel when making the barrel.

 

[Artificer]

Interesting, thank you.

Was that common and if so, up to a certain period in time?

Gus

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Yes, very common in fowling pieces. I have seen this feature on uncut English barrels up to last quarter 18th century. Not sure about later as that is too modern for me.

 

[George]

Also common earlier, in Portugal. Described as a common bore configuration in late 17th and very early 18th century in their guns.

I have an original barrel from late 18th century, smooth rifle, octagonal, swamped, and the bore is 28 gauge, but it expands in the last two inches before the muzzle to 20 gauge. Doesn't show from the outside.

Spence

 

[Loyalist Dave]

A dealer is trying to sell guns. They are not a museum trying to give correct labels to guns..., and even the Smithsonian has been caught mislabeling items...and there are hundreds of people working there.

As for Huff, well that was 1978..., NOT 1678. A better question would be, What was the item called when it was made?

For example, ever heard of the First Model Bess, or the Second Model? How about a 1728 Model Bess or a 1756 Model. These are what we call them today, NOT what they were named when they were made, and Dewitt Bailey says we need even more labels for models.


LD

 

[Commodore Swab]

This is why I was asking not for a definition but knowing that many people have different views. I consider a blunderbuss to be a smoothbore barrel that is flared interior and exterior. Beyond that there are many many subdivisions of blunderbusses in my opinion. This may not be the original definition but I consider it to be one valid in todays world.

Among sub divisions I would include
Pistol Blundebuss
Boxlock Blundderbuss
Kneegun Blunderbuss
Coach gun (what many think of a blunderbuss as being)
Swivel Blunderbuss
Trabuco
Espignol

All of these pieces have one thing in common and that is a barrel that is flared interior and exterior.

 

[Artificer]

Thanks to both you and Spence!

I love the look of the early to late 18th century fowlers, but even though I have worked on older guns, this is outside my personal realm of experience. It is really nice to learn more about them.

Gus

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Also common earlier, in Portugal. Described as a common bore configuration in late 17th and very early 18th century in their guns.


Spence

Yes, "The Perfect Gun" :grin:

 

[George]

Do you have that book, Capt. Jas.?

Spence

 

[Capt. Jas.]

I do