Spanish barrels were held in high esteem throughout northern Europe for much of the 18th century. Counterfeit barrels produced after the Spanish fashion, as in the present instance, were a marketing specialty of German gunmakers. The present example is inlaid in silver with the signature of the Madrid master Diego Esquibel, together with the spurious date "1764" (he died in 1732) and complete with accurate copies of his maker’s stamps. This blunderbuss dates to 1770-1775 and is signed “SVENO*MATHIA*/A. MANNHEIM*” on the rounded lock. The lock features a safety catch on the tail. The barrel is of two stages and features a flattened oval muzzle that measures 2 3/8 by 1 3/8 inches. The bore is estimated above. The octagonal breech section is decorated with a stamped pattern and has "Esquibel/Anno 1764/Madrid" in silver inlay across the upper flats and gilt copper lined decorative floral marks, a cross, and two imitation Esquibel maker’s marks. The full-length, molded walnut stock has a German style cheek piece and is elaborately carved in raised relief with rococo floral scroll patterns. It is mounted with brass furniture cast and chased with further rococo ornamentation, some against a punched background. The trigger guard bow and heel tang have deer scenes, and the solid side plate has a dog scene. The trigger guard grip extension is marked "B*V*E." A horn-tipped ramrod is housed beneath the barrel, and a plaited green cord sling is fitted.

Fine with traces of original brown finish on the breech section of the barrel, smooth gray patina and some faint pitting on the balance of the barrel and lock, aged patina on the silver and gilded inlays, attractive natural aged patina and crisp engraving on the brass furniture, and some mild age and storage related wear overall. The stock is very fine and has crisp raised relief carving, a thin crack on the left side of the butt reaching down from the edge of the cheek piece, chips and repairs at the edges of the forend tip, and mild dings and scratches. Mechanically fine.