Manufactured circa 1775-80. William Paris is recorded working as a gunmaker in Derby in 1792. This blunderbuss is made highly unusual and possibly unique by the later fitting of a barrel with side-mounted spring-bayonet releasing automatically upon discharge; the tip of the blade being released at the point at which it aligns with a notch cut out of the falling breast of the cock. This device is flawed by impracticality and danger to the user. The steel barrel is of three stages flaring at the muzzle and divided by turned moldings. The octagonal breech section is signed “W. PARIS. DERBY” and engraved with a band of beadwork and struck with private Birmingham proof marks. The sprung bayonet of hollow triangular section is fitted to the right side of the barrel. The engraved iron tang has a sighting groove. The flat beveled lock signed “W. PARIS”. The figured walnut stock has a raised apron and shell molding around the barrel tang and is fitted with engraved iron furniture including trigger guard with acorn finial. Wooden ramrod with dark horn tip. Bore estimated.

Very good. The barrel, tang and lock have an artificially applied grey-brown patina, clear engraving, and some discoloration throughout. The furniture has some corrosion marking and softening to the engraving. The stock has scattered age related storage and handling marks throughout and some small flakes at the edges, and the left side of forearm was re-profiled during its working life and has a hairline crack. Mechanically excellent.