London Marked Brass Blunderbuss With Retailer Marked Lock

NSN, 1 3/32" bore at the muzzle with approximately .89 caliber bore diameter, 15" part octagon barrel with a very good-fine bore. This is a very handsome example with the brass barrel and fittings having a mellow, yellow-ochre patina throughout. The barrel has an octagonal breech with a wedding band transition to round, and is tastefully embellished with small engraved vignettes throughout. The lock is marked "HURST / & / GWILT" (almost certainly a retailer rather than a maker) and has a freckled pewter gray patina throughout. The wedge-fastened walnut stock has numerous handling marks and small blemishes scattered about the otherwise fine lacquered finish, and there is a very nice relief-carved scallop shell decoration surrounding the top tang. Of interest is an added brass escutcheon on the top of the wrist that appears to be surmounted by an American Federal Eagle. The engraving on the escutcheon does not match the finer lines of the original engraving, but it was added in the period, probably by a former owner. The original brass-tipped ramrod is still present, and the lock is still firm and fully functional. This is an exceptional example of a British flintlock blunderbuss, and would make a splendid addition to any collection. Antique