Spring gun
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1800
Materials
Iron, Wood
Measurements
629 mm (Length)240 mm (W)
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1334231
Summary
Flintlock spring or alarm gun with belled iron barrel, circa 1800.
Full description
Flintlock spring or alarm gun, English, c1800. Used on large estates to deter poaching or trespassing, the gun was set into the ground with trip lines radiating from the trigger bar. If these are caught and pulled, the gun would be turned towards that direction and fire. Spring guns for this type of use were outlawed in 1827. Round iron barrel with a flared muzzle. This is held by a wooden stock formed by two pieces of wood that envelop most of the barrel and held togethr by 3 iron bands. An iron swivel and spike for fixing into the ground can be found on the lower edge. There is also an iron “trigger” release bar for attaching release lines. On the right-hand side of the stock is a military-style flintlock with a brass flashpan. Overall length: 63cm
Provenance
CPW Item 220 Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
References
Winant, 1955: Lewis Winant, Firearms Curiosa Bateman, 2007: T & J Bateman, Alarm Guns