AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Ron Scott on July 29, 2020, 04:50:44 PM

Title: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: Ron Scott on July 29, 2020, 04:50:44 PM

I thought I would share these photos . It is from an Italian source and the decorative style would suggest that is the location of manufacture. The hinge and lock on the folding wrist still work. My NMLRA seminar 2011 featured a French Blunderbuss. This one looks more fun.
(https://i.ibb.co/1rL0s25/G74796-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Bytf4sx)

(https://i.ibb.co/Wggj2Gs/G74796-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/D55TRzL)

(https://i.ibb.co/bbYV3Gk/G74796-1a.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vXfWBMS)

(https://i.ibb.co/q1C9P7n/G74796-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dKt6zjc)

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: WESTbury on July 29, 2020, 05:25:27 PM

Ron----That is a beautiful weapon, the wood in particular.

 I'm guessing that it may date from the second half of the 18th century. Do you have any idea of the builder?

I've been in the Armory area of the Doge Palace in Venice a couple of times. They have a great collection of arms and armor. Naturally, the Doge's troops would have had the best and most decorative arms. The must have tried to dazzle their opponents on the battlefield into submission rather than actual combat. I think the Italians tried that in Ethiopia in the 1930's, but it did not quite work out for them.

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: Ron Scott on July 30, 2020, 03:50:05 PM

There are no markings to indicate the builder or location.  I noticed a similar Italian folding stock blunderbuss from another dealer. It did not list a builder either.

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: Mike Brooks on July 30, 2020, 04:27:58 PM

Love the oval bore. I don't know anything about eye-talian guns so no help there.

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: WESTbury on July 30, 2020, 04:29:50 PM

To the rear of the belt hook, there appears to be a device to have a shoulder swivel attached possibly for mounted use.

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: Curtis on July 31, 2020, 08:10:44 AM

Awesome gun, Ron!

Curtis

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: Pukka Bundook on July 31, 2020, 04:00:12 PM

Lovely piece, Ron.

It has looks that make me think first quarter of the 18th C, but I don't know Italian work, so may be off.

Congrats!!!

Richard.

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: WadePatton on July 31, 2020, 04:21:46 PM

Awesome, that's better than all the spaghetti I ever had.

was fettuccine last night... ;D

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: ScottH on July 31, 2020, 09:22:01 PM

Very Interesting piece.
That muzzle treatment gives new meaning to the term "spray and pray"  ;)

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: Craig Wilcox on July 31, 2020, 09:42:18 PM

I'm with Brooks on that muzzle.
Elmer Fudd never had one so good - prime piece of building by whoever made it.

Title: Re: Italian Blunderbuss
Post by: WadePatton on July 31, 2020, 11:36:06 PM

Heck yeah.  I'm loving the squashed muzzle as well.  Looks VERY well thought out for bad situations.

I totally missed the folding stock first time admiring.