Blunderbuss
possibly John Moore (fl.c.1766-c.1788)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1790 - circa 1800
Materials
iron, brass, wood
Measurements
736 mm (L); 25 mm (Bore)
Order this imageCollection
East Riddlesden Hall, West Yorkshire
NT 201001
Summary
Flintlock blunderbuss by J. Moore.
Full description
Flintlock blunderbuss by J. Moore. Perhaps John Moore, Birmingham c1766 – c1785. Several makers with the name Moore are recorded including a John Moore of Keighley, c1829. Brass barrel formed in 2 stages, each separated with turned mouldings, octagonal at the breech and then round to the muzzle. Muzzle with ring moulding. Engraved breech struck with early private proof marks, P & V over crossed sceptres within ovals, together with a crossed sceptre mark. Secured to the stock by 2 barrel pins. Spring operated folding steel bayonet of triangular form with fixing catch at the muzzle and release catch on the steel barrel tang. Barrel length 35.5cm. Muzzle diameter 30mm. Walnut full stock, the wrist of “handrail” form. Carved around the barrel tang. Engraved brass furniture comprising; butt plate, trigger guard with acorn finial, side-plate, escutcheon and 2 ramrod pipes. Trigger with scroll tip. Flintlock with flat engraved and stepped plate signed I.Moore (in script). Sliding bolt safety catch behind cock. Large anti-friction roller to feather spring. Retained to the stock by 2 side-nails (1 missing). Overall length: 75cm
Provenance
Part of a gift of Captain J.H.Brigg, nephew and co-executor of the estate of John Jeremy Brigg of Kildwick Hall nr Keighley. John Jeremy Brigg (1862-1945) and his twin brother, William Anderton Brigg (1862-1935), had purchased East Riddlesden Hall and presented it to the National Trust in 1934, having previously also salvaged various internal fittings removed from the hall earlier in the 20th century. In January 1946 various items of historic interest from their KIldwick house were donated to East Riddlesden Hall by Capt Brigg. The rest of Kildwick Hall and its contents were auctioned shortly afterwards. This item was included and is noted in a contemporary newspaper report as having been used on the Bradford to Skipton mail coach (see Yorks Observer, 19 Feb 1946, p2)
Marks and inscriptions
Lockplate: I. Moore Barrel - left breech: Proof and view marks - P and V above crossed sceptres within in ovals
Makers and roles
possibly John Moore (fl.c.1766-c.1788), maker
References
Bailey & Nye, 1978: DeWitt Bailey & Douglas Nye, English Gunmakers: Birmingham & Provincial Gun Trade