Dated “1741” on the initial escutcheon plate, this blunderbuss incorporates an earlier barrel. William (1) Turvey was apprenticed to Edward Turvey in 1703 and was Free of the Gunmakers’ Company in 1711. He was elected Assistant to the Company in 1727 and Master in 1733. He is recorded as working as a gunmaker next to Furnivall’s Inn, Holborn, London, Contractor to the Ordnance in 1719 and to the East India Company in 1741. He died in 1744, and his widow Sara continued the business. The signature on the barrel is probably that of the London gunmaker Francis Smart who submitted his proof piece to the Gunmakers’ Company in 1694. The last reference to Smart was made in 1725, as a Captain in the Trained Bands of the City of London (militia). The brass barrel is of three stages with a short octagonal to polygonal breech section, short round central section and flare at the muzzle. The breech section is signed “SMART”, struck with London proof marks and struck with Smart’s maker’s stamp, and the rear of the breech has raised molding with notch sight. The breech section and muzzle feature so-called strawberry foliage engraving. It has a plain iron tang and rounded iron lock, the latter signed “W. TURVEY” and engraved with a single border line. The cock is notched for use with a dog catch. The walnut stock has a raised apron around the barrel tang and is fitted with engraved brass mounts including a pierced sideplate. The wooden ramrod has a horn tip. The bore is estimated.

Good. The brass parts have mostly clear engraving throughout with some softening on the heel plate and central section of the barrel, attractive aged patina, and mild overall wear. The rear stem of the trigger guard bow has an old repair. The lock has a light grey patina with some discoloration and a clear signature. The stock has numerous age related storage and handling marks, bruises, and surface scratches and a separated crack visible at the toe and forward of the lockplate connecting to the trigger guard. Mechanically excellent.