Flint-lock blunderbuss: HEN.M.436-1933

Current Location: Gallery 31 (Armoury)

Maker(s)

Entities

Flint-lock blunderbuss

Categories

Weapons

Description

Flintlock blunderbuss, with spring bayonet and silver mounts. Inscription in Arabic script on barrel.

Legal notes

J.S. Henderson Bequest

Measurements and weight

Length: 99.5 cm
Weight: 2295 g

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Bequeathed (1933-03-16) by Henderson, James Stewart

Dating

18th Century, Late
1775 - 1799

Note

A blunderbuss is a short longarm with a barrel which flares out towards the muzzle. It was loaded with lots of small shot which spread out as it left the barrel making it very good as a short-range anti-personnel weapon – a bit like a shotgun today. This very unusual flintlock blunderbuss has an attached bayonet which is held in place by a catch along the top of the barrel and which could be released, springing out to make a formidable short-range weapon. This type of weapon was often carried for self defence when travelling.

Components of the work

Mounts composed of silver gilt

Identification numbers

Accession number: HEN.M.436-1933
Primary reference Number: 19536
Old object number: PB 158
Stable URI

Audit data

Created: Saturday 6 August 2011 Updated: Monday 18 December 2023

Associated departments & institutions

Owner or interested party: The Fitzwilliam Museum
Associated department: Applied Arts

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Citation for print

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            The Fitzwilliam Museum (2024) "Flint-lock blunderbuss" Web page available at: https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/19536 Accessed: 2024-04-27 11:02:17

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            {{cite web|url=https://collection.beta.fitz.ms/id/object/19536
            |title=Flint-lock blunderbuss
            |author=The Fitzwilliam Museum|accessdate=2024-04-27 11:02:17|publisher=The
            University of Cambridge}}

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