Page 49 - Auction84-Book2

AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. I BY MOLLER
AS PICTURED AND DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AMERICAN MILITARY SHOULDER ARMS, VOL. I BY MOLLER
LOT 1073
Documented Early Brass Barreled Doglock Blunderbuss - NSN, 1 1/8 inch cal., 28
inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. This large blunderbuss is pictured and discussed on pages 278-280 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 1: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George Moller where it is noted as by George Fisher, Jr. and as possibly manufactured c. 1687. He notes that the bore is 1 1/8 inches at the breech and flares to 1 1/4 inches 3 inches from the muzzle and then flares out rapidly. It features a true doglock with a horizontally acting sear and only a full-cock notch on the tumbler. It has a dog catch behind the cock and a beveled edge on the tail terminating in a teat. The lock is secured by three screws. The trigger bar extends up through the lock mortise and pivots on a pin through the stock above the lock mortise. The barrel has sea serpent shaped maker’s mark with “GF” followed by early London proof marks. The furniture is iron and includes a band on the forend tip, a stud passing through the stock starting on the right side of the stock believed to have been used to steady the gun, a trigger guard with front screw that passed through the stock and secures the iron barrel tang, and a buttplate with a long comb extension. The stock has a nicely shaped comb, rounded butt, and George Moller’s discreet “GDM” collection mark stamped near the toe. CONDITION: Very good with aged patina on the brass barrel, dark brown patina and moderate oxidation and pitting on
the iron, and general moderate age and storage related wear throughout. The stock is also very good and has some small insect holes, small flakes and slivers absent at the edges, discreet repairs, and mild overall wear. Mechanically fine. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 1074
Documented Massive British Sea Service Flintlock Blunderbuss - NSN, 1 1/8 inch gauge, 24 1/4 inch round bbl.,
bright finish, walnut stock. This blunderbuss is featured and discussed on pages 283-285 of “American Military Shoulder Arms, Volume 1: Colonial and Revolutionary War Arms” by George Moller where it is noted as “procured sometime after 1785.” The barrel flares out to nearly 2 3/8 inches at the muzzle from 1 1/8 inches for most of the bore per Moller and is marked with Ordnance proofs. The lock is marked with the Georgian cipher and “TOWER” along with a “crown/broad arrow” below the pan and, “crown/22” and what appears to be a “B” inside the lock. The stock has “III.C.R” on the right and “broad arrow/BO” on the left. CONDITION: Very good with mostly gray patina on the lock and barrel along with mild pitting, attractive aged patina on the brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The period re-oiled stock is also very good with crack from the tail of the lock down to plate ahead of the trigger, mild dings and scratches, and distinct markings. The rear barrel tang is cracked approximately one inch ahead of the screw. The half-cock engagement and trigger could use some work, but the lock will hold full-cock and drop correctly. Provenance: The George Moller Collection. Estimate: 3,000 - 4,500
LOT 1075
Blowen Marked British Royal Navy Style Flintlock Blunderbuss Swivel Gun - NSN, 8 gauge, 27 1/4 inch round bbl., bright finish, walnut stock. Flintlock swivel guns were commonly used on a wide variety of military and merchant vessels in the early 19th century and earlier and could be used both for fighting enemy personnel and for signaling. There were multiple Blowen gunmakers including James Blowen active c. 1757-1811 and his sons James Henry and Samuel Thomas active in the early 19th century. The bore is estimated above and flares out to just under 2 inches at the muzzle. The barrel has two unclear marks on the left at the breech. The lock is marked “BLOWEN.” The side plate is the same style used on other Royal Army and Navy weapons, and the buttplate is a solid piece of thick brass and secured by three screws. CONDITION: Very good. The lock has been reconverted using both antique and modern parts, and the swivel mount is likely a modern handmade replacement. The barrel and cock have light gray and brown patina and mild pitting. The lock plate has light gray patina and buff marks. The swivel mount is dark brown. The brass has aged patina. The stock has minor cracks at the tail of the lock and rear lock screw and mild scratches and dents. Mechanically fine. Estimate: 2,750 - 4,250
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