Blunderbuss
Ransford (fl.1710)
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1700
Materials
iron, wood, brass
Measurements
101.6 cm (Length)
Order this imageCollection
Springhill, County Londonderry
NT 215614
Summary
Flintlock blunderbuss, c1700, the barrel London made, the lockplate signed Ransford.
Full description
Flintlock blunderbuss, signed on the lockplate Ransford. A gunmaker named Ransford is recorded working in Dublin from c1710. The brass barrel is stamped with a makers mark, probably that of Godfrey Tailor, London (active 1658-1700), and also the Londonderry registration mark of the 1843 Irish Firearms Act. Heavy brass barrel constructed in 4 stages, octagonal at the breech, becoming sixteen-sided, then round to a canon moulding or ring, and then flared at the muzzle. The breech formed with raised moulding or collar which is cut at the top with a sighting groove. The breech also stamped with London Gunmakers Company proof marks, and the owners crest (a unicorn), together with Irish registration marks LY 6331 and a makers mark GT under a star. Iron barrel tang. Retained to the stock by 2 barrel-pins. Wooden ramrod with a brass tip. Barrel length 60.5cm. Diameter of muzzle 39mm. Walnut full-stock. Engraved brass furniture comprising; butt-plate, trigger guard, scroll form side-plate and 2 ramrod pipes. Scroll tipped trigger. Flintlock, the plate of flat form, engraved with name RANSFORD. The cock of flat, well-breasted form with a ring-neck, straight comb and the jaw-screw pierced. There is a dog-catch to rear of cock. Square top frizzen with no bridle. The frizzen spring with a spear-shaped finial. Separately forged facetted pan. Retained to the stock by 3 side-nails. Overall length: 130.5cm
Marks and inscriptions
Lockplate: 'Ransford'. . Unicorn engraved on barrel. Barrel : LY 6331 Engraving of unicorn London Gunmakers Company proof marks GP and V Makers mark GT under a star
Makers and roles
Ransford (fl.1710)