This large bore gun was manufactured by an unknown party and is devoid of individual marker's marks, company trade symbols, or proof house marks. However, it is very similar to whaling guns manufactured by Oliver Allen c. 1848-1849 and then his successor Christopher C. Brand who is more famous for whaling guns with skeleton butts. Most bomb lance guns were not rifled, but some were designed for use with special bomb lances that had lead portions that engaged the rifling and increased accuracy and range. The loop on the bottom of the stock would have been used to secure the gun so that it could be retrieved if dropped on rough seas or from the immense recoil. It is of metal construction through the entire length and consists of a heavy steel barrel and a combination brass action housing and buttstock. The bore measures just shy of a full inch in diameter (4 bore, in the classic English style), with an overall weight of 20 pounds, 9.6 ounces. The brass stock helped ward off corrosion issues and also helped dampen the recoil via added weight. The barrel is fitted with a brass bead front sight and a fixed "U" notch rear sight, with a groove on the underside in the style of a ramrod channel, though no provisions for a forearm or rod pipes are present. The buttstock is of braised multi-piece construction, with a trigger guard mounted with screws, an integral hand-swell numbered "12" at the wrist, and a brass side plate on the left side opposite the casehardened hammer. The number "12" is repeated on the internal components. Overall weight of the rifle is 20 pounds, 9.6 ounces.

Fine. The barrel shows a crisp mixed blue brown patina, with some gray streaking, spotting and handling marks. The stock shows a well aged mustard patina, with some tiny casting voids, color shifting around the braised points, and light handling marks. The mechanism is in full working order.