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Author Topic: Italian Blunderbuss  (Read 2045 times)

Offline Ron Scott

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Italian Blunderbuss
« 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.






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Offline WESTbury

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #1 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.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2020, 02:38:59 PM by WESTbury »
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Offline Ron Scott

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #2 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.
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #3 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.
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Offline WESTbury

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #4 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.
« Last Edit: July 30, 2020, 04:37:10 PM by WESTbury »
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"We are not about to send American Boys 9 to 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian Boys ought to be doing for themselves."
President Lyndon B. Johnson October 21, 1964

Offline Curtis

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #5 on: July 31, 2020, 08:10:44 AM »
Awesome gun, Ron!

Curtis
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Curtis Allinson
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Sometimes, late at night when I am alone in the inner sanctum of my workshop and no one else can see, I sand things using only my fingers for backing

Offline Pukka Bundook

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #6 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.
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Offline WadePatton

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #7 on: July 31, 2020, 04:21:46 PM »
Awesome, that's better than all the spaghetti I ever had.

was fettuccine last night... ;D
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Offline ScottH

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #8 on: July 31, 2020, 09:22:01 PM »
Very Interesting piece.
That muzzle treatment gives new meaning to the term "spray and pray"  ;)
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Offline Craig Wilcox

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #9 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.
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Craig Wilcox
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Offline WadePatton

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Re: Italian Blunderbuss
« Reply #10 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. 
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