Miquelet blunderbuss
Palmer
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1690 - circa 1790
Materials
iron, walnut, brass
Measurements
438 mm (Length)800 mm (Length)
Place of origin
England
Order this imageCollection
Cotehele, Cornwall
NT 347383
Summary
Firearm. Flintlock (miquelet) blunderbuss, the barrel late 17th century, the stock 18th century, both English; the miquelet lock from a Spanish Model 1789 military musket.
Full description
Flintlock blunderbuss, the barrel late 17th century, the stock 18th century, both English; the lock from a model 1789 Spanish military musket. Two London gunmakers named Palmer are recorded – William Palmer died, 1681 and 1691 respectively. Iron barrel formed in 3 stages, octagonal at the breech, brcoming sixteen-sided, then round to the flared muzzle, each stage separated by turned mouldings. Stamped at the breech with London Gunmakers Company proof marks and signed, PALMER, LONDON. Retained to the stock by 2 barrel pins. Wooden ramrod with brass tip. Barrel length 43.8cm. Diameter at muzzle 40mm. Walnut full stock with a club form butt, and a carved V-shaped apron around the barrel tang. Iron buttplate, brass trigger guard and 1 ramrod pipe. Curved iron trigger. Miquelet lock (flintlock), of flat form with a brass flashpan. Stamped on the lockplate the initial A. Serratted frizzen. Capstan-type top-jaw screw. Retained to the stock by 2 sidenails. Overall length: 80cm
Marks and inscriptions
Barrel breech - top: Palmer Barrel breech - top: LOndon Gunmakers Company proof marks GP and V
Makers and roles
Palmer, gunsmith
References
Blackmore, 1986: Howard Blackmore: A Dictionary of London Gunmakers 1350-1850