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Author Topic: Italian 18th century blunderbuss  (Read 1580 times)

Offline MuskratMike

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Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« on: March 18, 2023, 08:19:55 PM »
On the booth next to mine at last weeks Cascade Mountain Man fair in Enumclaw, Washington sat this fine blunderbuss. It has a stock of fine burl walnut with gold and silver wire inlays accompanied by tasteful horn and bone inlays. It has a unique oval steel barrel with a sling attachment and belt hook. Most uncommon is this blunderbuss sports a folding stock that allows it to be worn on a chest strap under a cloak. It is from the early part of the 18th century about 1720-1730 and was made in Italy.













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"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline Daryl

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2023, 10:01:36 PM »
Wow- fancy piece of equipment, folding stock and all. That picture of the muzzle in someone's had,
 surely show the optical illusion of a radically enlarged muzzle, compared to the side "shots".
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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline Niall

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #2 on: March 18, 2023, 10:55:58 PM »
Quote from: Daryl on March 18, 2023, 10:01:36 PM
Wow- fancy piece of equipment, folding stock and all. That picture of the muzzle in someone's had,
 surely show the optical illusion of a radically enlarged muzzle, compared to the side "shots".

Consider that it's an oval barrel,that probably explains the 'illusion'
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Offline MuskratMike

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2023, 11:58:47 PM »
Yes the barrel is a true oval.
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"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline PhDBrewer

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2023, 01:15:06 AM »
Yes, oval. About 5.5 cm wide.

William




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Offline Daryl

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2023, 02:50:48 AM »
Quote from: Niall on March 18, 2023, 10:55:58 PM
Quote from: Daryl on March 18, 2023, 10:01:36 PM
Wow- fancy piece of equipment, folding stock and all. That picture of the muzzle in someone's had,
 surely show the optical illusion of a radically enlarged muzzle, compared to the side "shots".

Consider that it's an oval barrel,that probably explains the 'illusion'

Yes, of course. LOL- I missed that - must have been before I had my second cup of coffee this morning.
So obvious, now.
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Daryl

"a gun without hammers is like a spaniel without ears" King George V

Offline MuskratMike

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2023, 05:17:51 PM »
One super cool gun!
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"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline Robby

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2023, 05:47:56 PM »
Did they call it a spazzino?
Robby
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molon labe
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Offline Seth Isaacson

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2023, 07:53:37 PM »
This is definitely a nice one. I like how with this style of muzzle you can still sight along the top of the barrel since the top of the muzzle is usually parallel or close to parallel with the breech. These were apparently nicknamed “Lumpara” or "wolf killer" by the Sicilians.
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I am the Lead Historian/Firearms Specialist at Rock Island Auction Co., but I am here out of my own personal interests in muzzle loading and history.
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Offline bigsmoke

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2023, 08:03:43 PM »
Mike, Was that a display piece or was it for sale?  If for sale, what was the price?
Thinking about that oval muzzle, I am guessing if rounded it would be maybe a 10 gauge?
Regardless, it is a fine piece, and thank you for posting it.
John (Bigsmoke)
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Offline MuskratMike

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2023, 08:05:47 PM »
Bigsmoke: for more information message PhDBrewer he is the owner
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"Muskrat" Mike McGuire
Keep your eyes on the skyline, your flint sharp and powder dry.

Offline dadybear1

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Re: Italian 18th century blunderbuss
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2023, 04:01:52 PM »
WOW---BEAUTIFUL PIECE---
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