Gun
Category
Arms and armour
Date
circa 1675 - circa 1685
Materials
Wood and metal
Measurements
1525 x 75 x 215 mm
Order this imageCollection
Dunster Castle, Somerset
NT 725972.3
Summary
Rare English flintlock musket, probably English, c1675-85
Full description
A rare English flintlock musket, probably English, c1675 - 85. Part of the 17th century Luttrell Armoury and described in the 1705 inventory as one of "43 Musquetts in Dunster Castle". It is thought that the Armoury was assembled in the 1670s by Francis Luttrell (1659 -1690) who formed a Militia and took part in repelling the invasion by James, Duke of Monmouth in 1685. Iron barrel, formed in 2 stages, octagonal at the breech, then round to the muzzle, separated by a turned moulding. The muzzle with a blade fore-sight (set back from muzzle). The breech is stamped with the initials FP. Retained to the stock by 3 barrel pins. Retaining its original wooden ramrod (part missing). Barrel length: 115.1cm Calibre: 20mm Wooden full stock with curving club-form butt of 2-piece construction. There is a raised apron around, and extending behind the barrel tang. Iron furniture comprising; bow-shaped ribbon form trigger guard with long rear and nailed-on tang, and 1 ramrod pipe. It has a straight form trigger. Flintlock (French type with vertically acting sear) with rounded plate, the tail of the plate with a long finial. Rounded form S-shaped cock. Retained to the stock by 2 sidenails. Overall length of musket: 153cm References Brian Godwin, “The Armoury at Dunster Castle”, 14th Park Lane Arms Fair catalogue, London 1997 Brian Godwin, “Dunster Castle – The Armoury Revisited”, London Park Lane Arms Fair catalogue, Spring 2008
Marks and inscriptions
Top of barrel: the initials FP
References
Godwin, 2003, Brian Godwin, “The English Flintlock: Its Origins and Development”, (with John Cooper & Michael Spencer) 20th Park Lane Arms Fair catalogue, London 2003.