Original Item. One of a Kind. This is a Classic example of a 19th Century Ottoman Blunderbuss! Dating to the first half of the 19th century, the "Hand" blunderbuss mimics the shape of a full sized blunderbuss of the period but is scaled down for use with one hand. It is full stocked with a "musket" style wrist and butt stock with a butt plate. The stock has hand checkering around the wrist, and other parts of the stock show some lovely hand carving. Like many Ottoman weapons it has a "faux" ramrod on the stock below the barrel, which even has fittings added.

The blunderbuss barrel is 11 5/8" long terminating in a 1 5/8" wide mouth to the front. The barrel is octagonal towards the breech, and the top and left facet are covered with simulated European maker marks and proofs, which looks to be based on English proofs. They are however completely made up, and do not represent anything but an attempt by the maker to pass the gun off as European. The weapon is 19 1/2" in overall length, and almost all of the fittings look to be lovely iron or steel, now polished and bright.

The musket style buttstock of the pistol has some lovely silver wire foliate inlay work on both sides, which is really quite lovely. Most of it is still present and bright, with just a few areas missing the inlay. Overall condition is very nice, with a lovely patina of age. We checked the lock, and functions somewhat, though it definitely is a bit stiff and does not hold at half cock.

This is a real peach of its type, and definitely not a later tourist item. Often associated with the Barbary Pirates, it makes an awesome display piece.

Specifications:

Years of Manufacture: circa 1800-1840
Barrel Length: 11 1/8"
Bore Diameter: Blunderbuss Swamped Barrel - 1 5/8" at muzzle
Ammunition Type: Lead Shot & Powder
Overall Length: 19 1/2 Inches
Action: Miquelet Lock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.