Blunderbuss information needed

[augy]

Hi,

A friend of mine has this old Blunderbuss, and we have no idea of the value.

I was told by my friend that has a Gunshop (FFL), that someone brought in a Blunderbuss and wanted to sell it. The person selling it said it was found behind a wall in an old house that was being demolished.
Its condition is excellent, almost too good to believe for such a seemingly old gun.
Any information will be appreciated. Also, does anyone know of a qualified appraiser who could look at the pictures and give information on its authenticity and value.
Thanks,
Jim in Tennessee

Some pictures:

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/augydog1/Blunderbuss5.jpg
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/augydog1/Blunderbuss0.jpg
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/augydog1/Blunderbuss2.jpg
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/augydog1/Blunderbuss3.jpg
http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/oo146/augydog1/Blunderbuss4.jpg

 

[gunsmith11]

sell it to Caj. for a duck gun

 

[s&wchad]

The proof mark on the breech (photo 2) is a definitive black powder proof from Liege Belgium. That mark was adopted in 1893 (according to the link), so I‘d call it a shootable reproduction.

http://www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com/archives/Proofmarks.pdf

 

[Engineer1911]

Arizona Border Special !

 

[augy]

The proof mark on the breech (photo 2) is a definitive black powder proof from Liege Belgium. That mark was adopted in 1893 (according to the link), so I‘d call it a shootable reproduction.

http://www.phoenixinvestmentarms.com/archives/Proofmarks.pdf

Thanks for the link to proofmarks.

Are you saying its a reproduction and not the real deal?

Jim

 

[s&wchad]

What I'm saying is a flintlock blunderbuss wasn't exactly state of the art in 1893, they were pretty much obsolete by the mid-1800's.

 

[gizamo]

Can't tell from the photos..but it looks to be a Coach Gun to my eye. I'm guessing it is in the range of a 11 bore. Think Chad is correct, a more modern gun...

 

[gunlovingirl]

I agree with Chad and giz. It's a reproduction. Not to say it has no value, but it's not an original. Not only by the proof mark, but the screws aren't period correct for an original.

 

[Thuer]

The complete product misses the craftmanship what you normal see on a period piece.

At first glans I tought Khyberpass. Mind that they made the false proofmarks to.

The model is odd to. I have seen a lot of Belgium made guns. Never seen this model.

By the way. The proofmark on the gun is in use from about 1813. From 1893 there is a crown above the oval.

 

[augy]

Thanks for all the replys so far, keep them coming.

BTW, the wood is Tiger Maple, I had that verified.

Thanks,
Jim in Tennessee

 

[s&wchad]

By the way. The proofmark on the gun is in use from about 1813. From 1893 there is a crown above the oval.

You're correct, I missed that.
Here's some additional info:
http://damascus-barrels.com/Belgian_All_Proofmarks.html

 

[n4zov]

The barrel construction looks a little strange to me. Is this a two-piece barrel and is that a seam I see near the top of the flared portion of the barrel in one photo? It makes me wonder if this gun was even designed to be fired. On the other hand, the workmanship seems incredibly good for a wall hanger.

 

[Muddyboot]

CVA at one time offered a brass barreled blunderbuss that looked just like that. Have not seen one in years.

 

[2152hq]

I'd guess from the pics it was a project gun made from parts from a source such as Dixie Gun works or one of the other antique gun parts dealers around then. They supplied all manner of odd barrels, locks, triggers, guards, etc,,(probably still do) back in the 60's and 70's. Lots of old stock barrels from Belgium were in their inventory as well as other parts. They were very active buyers all over the world for old parts, some never used.
Looks to me that someone assembled a group of parts and made a stock from a blank of maple around those parts.

A couple of things shout modern on it including the maple stock & it's shape, the shape of the lock plate and lack of ramrod or design for one.

 

[augy]

The barrel construction looks a little strange to me. Is this a two-piece barrel and is that a seam I see near the top of the flared portion of the barrel in one photo? It makes me wonder if this gun was even designed to be fired. On the other hand, the workmanship seems incredibly good for a wall hanger.

That's a scratch running down about 4 inches on the top of the flared portion of the barrel.

Jim