This blunderbuss by Theophilus Richards (1747-1828) is particularly rare in that it has silver furniture dating to 1794. Blunderbusses are not typically luxury arms, but a well-to-do gentleman may have preferred to have his coach armed with a fancier blunderbuss. "The Concise History of Birmingham" from 1808 noted, “The shop of Theophilus Richards, in the High Street, is the toyshop of Birmingham; for the elegance of its appearance and the multiplicity of its valuable articles it is scarcely rivalled,” and the shop was known for its silver goods. The multi-stage barrel has Birmingham private proofs on the upper left (pre-1813) and a folding "snap bayonet" with a 12 inch blade. The bore flares out to around 1 1/8 inches at the muzzle. The lock has a large frizzen spring roller, stepped tail with burst engraving, sliding half-cock safety, and "T/RICHARDS" signed at the center. The furniture is silver and features floral and martial engraving, a pineapple finial on the trigger guard, and Birmingham silver hallmarks, including the "W" date code for 1794 and a "CF" maker's mark. The stock has a checkered wrist.