Blunderbuss
Thomas Cole
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1680
Materials
iron, brass, wood
Measurements
710 mm (Length)75 mm (W)120 mm (H)
Place of origin
London
Order this imageCollection
Felbrigg, Norfolk
NT 1395726
Summary
Very fine quality flintlock blunderbuss by Thomas Cole (active 1677-1699), London, c1680.
Full description
Very fine quality flintlock blunderbuss by Thomas Cole (active 1677-1699), London, c1680. Very few firearms by Cole are known to exist. The root wood stock and the escutcheon with an engraved head are typical features of fine quality English firearms of the period. Brass barrel with flared muzzle constructed in 3 stages (octagonal at the breech, then 16 sided, then round to the muzzle). Engraved at the breech and muzzle with foliage and “monster” head. The breech stamped with proof marks of the London Gunmakers Company, together with the makers mark, TC under a crescent, and signed T.COLE. Steel barrel tang with incised lines. Retained to the stock by 2 barrel pins. Wooden ramrod (replacement). Barrel length 35cm. Diameter at muzzle 35.5mm. Root-wood maple full stock with bulbous butt and carved apron around the barrel tang and lock recess. Brass furniture engraved with foliage and flowers, comprising; bulbous and nailed-on butt plate with long upper tang engraved with a flower, trigger guard with 3-stage finial, pierced side-plate (mostly missing), escutcheon with engraved head and 1 baluster-turned ramrod pipe. Large iron suspension swivel to the left side of the stock. Split to forestock and piece missing. Missing. The vacant recess in the stock indicates it originally had a flintlock with a curved lockplate held by 2 screws. Overall length: 71cm.
Provenance
Part of the Windham Collection. The hall and contents were bequeathed to the National Trust in 1969 by Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer (1906-1969)
Marks and inscriptions
Barrel top: T. Cole Barrel breech: London Gunmakers Company proof marks GP and V Makers mark TC under a crescent
Makers and roles
Thomas Cole, gunsmith
References
Blackmore, 1986: Howard Blackmore: A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850