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1780’S SUPERIOR CONDITION ARCHER ORIGINAL FLINTLOCK BRASS BARRELED BLUNDERBUSS, STAGE COACH GUN, PERSONAL PROTECTION, 90 CALIBER BORE (6.27 GAUGE)
Guns International #: 101132531 Seller's Inventory #:
Category: Antique Rifles - Blunderbuss - Antique Rifles - Flintlock
Seller's Information
When emailing or calling sellers direct, please mention that you saw their listing on GunsInternational.com
Seller: victorio1sw
Member Since: 8/4/13
State: Texas
Country: United States
Fax:
Number of Active Listings: 4
Seller: Private Seller
Return Policy: 3 day inspection and return policy on used guns.
Payment Types Accepted: Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders.
Description:
**********SOLD**********
Description:
This blunderbuss is thought to have been made by Thomas Archer of Birmingham, England, between 1776 and 1807. By 1808 he operated as “Archer & Son” until closing in 1818.
This blunderbuss was never converted to percussion, and retains its original flint lock. The lockplate measures 5-1/2” in length, and the hammer throw (from screw to lower jaw) is 1-9/16”. The lock fits snugly within the inletted port of the walnut stock, and is definitely original to this gun. All lock parts, hidden inside and shown outside, are original. The lock plate has a dark patina and bears the name “Archer”, along with some engraved scrolls and border. As originally created, the hammer draws to half cock and full cock. The frizzen snaps down over the pan to secure the priming powder. It should be mentioned that the thin case hardened surface of the frizzen wore down at some point, resulting in poor or inconsistent ignition. This was commonly repaired by laminating a thin piece of hard steel, like spring stock, onto the frizzen surface with lead solder. Some collectors refer to these flintlocks as “re-soled”, a term that comes from the re-soling of leather shoes.
The part-octagon brass barrel measures 14-1/2” from muzzle to breach plug. The flared muzzle is 1-13/16” in outside diameter, and the rear portion of the octagon section is 1-5/16” flat to flat. At the muzzle the inside diameter is 1-5/16”, tapering down to a bore diameter of 0.906”. The bore diameter equates to a 6.27 gauge (the number of 0.906” round balls that can be cast from a pound of lead). The only marking seen on this barrel is “R 3”, found stamped on the underside of the muzzle. The barrel is held in the stock by the upper tang screw and two steel pins.
The stock was made of English walnut, with some fancy figure evident in the butt section. The wood surfaces are generally smooth, with only a few small dents from normal handling in the past. All of the trim parts (buttplate, thumbplate, triggerguard, lockplate screw escutcheons, and ramrod thimbles) are brass. Most of the trim parts were secured by steel pins that passed through the stock, and these pins are visible. The buttplate measures 1-7/8” at its widest point. The trigger and trigger plate were made of steel, with the latter secured in place by the upper tang screw. The tapered ramrod has a fancy brass tip on the larger end. The ramrod “tags bottom” in the barrel indicating that no powder or ball is present.
The overall length from muzzle to buttplate is 29-5/8”. The gun tips the scale at 5.4 pounds. When held at the wrist, this blunderbuss seems to have a good balance, and could have been fired with one hand or from the shoulder.
This blunderbuss shows decades of use and evenly-distributed wear, but it also clearly indicates an unusual amount of maintenance and care. Other than the ramrod, all parts are original. No springs were broken. The wood was never sanded, and thus remains approximately proud to (even with) the applicable metal surfaces. No horse stepped on it, and no wagon wheel crushed the stock. The wood and metal surfaces didn’t get badly beat up, and perhaps above all – it was never was converted to percussion! Unlike many, this one is maker-marked, and accordingly its early manufacture can be dated.
This early and better-quality flintlock blunderbuss would look great in anyone’s collection.
Terms:
No International sales. Not being sold as a shooter, but as an original collector’s flintlock blunderbuss. If you want to shoot any older firearm, first take it to a gunsmith with proper knowledge and experience and have it checked out.
Three day inspection period, but ask questions prior to buying (see additional notes on returns at bottom). Additional pictures sent on request. Send me an email, and we can set up a phone call to discuss details of this antique gun.
See my 19 years of feedback ratings on eBay (user name: victorio1sw). Member NRA, TGCA, CCA, RSA, and S&WCA.
I accept Bank Cashier’s Checks and Postal Money Orders. No Western Union MO’s. Payment must be received within seven days after sale date, and sent by Priority Mail with Tracking Number provided by buyer. Shipping by USPS Registered Priority Mail (36” x 8” x 6 ” box) with insurance $62.00 (and tracking number provided to buyer). Usually shipping occurs within 3 days after payment received.
Three (3) day Inspection and Return Policy: Only if returned Exactly as Received - Not Disassembled for Inspection, Not Tampered, Not Broken/Chipped/Scratched/Dented/Scuffed, or any Parts Switched. Any Original Documentation sent Must Be Returned with item.
SOLD
Curio/Relic: Yes
Antique: Yes