BLUNDERING ON

With reference to Paul Kenyon’s letter, Unusual Weapon [February issue], in December 2018 I took my blunderbuss to Whitfield on a .410 and black-powder day. It hadn’t been fired in the past 50 years so the first test shot was taken with trepidation Needless to say, I didn’t hit anything as the shot spread so quickly but it was great fun trying.

My blunderbuss [pictured below] looks almost identical to the one shown in The Field and has the fearsome, spring-loaded bayonet. I have the following information on it, written by a retired police officer in the 1970s: “This weapon was made in Birmingham and bears the viewing mark and proofing mark of that city. These markings came into use in 1813 and the gun was probably made circa that date.

This type of gun was made to be carried by the guard on the 18th- to 19th-century stagecoaches as a protection against highwaymen, footpads and villains of such ilk. However, tradition has it that the guards shot more pheasants than highwaymen. The gun, being of fine workmanship, could fetch any price beyond three figures in a large sale of firearms, especially where collectors were present.”

John Trevelyan, by email

Paul Kenyon gave details of an unusual gun and asked if anyone had seen one like it. I have a book by Chris Mcnab, Guns: A Visual History, and on page 137 there’s a doublebarrelled flintlock with a flared barrel and folding bayonet. It states the origin is UK around 1800; no other details available.

Paul Frost, Somerset