Blunderbuss

Title:

Blunderbuss

Object Name:

Blunderbuss

Creator:

Unknown

Date:

1710-1790

Material:

steel, brass, and wood (probably walnut)

Dimensions:

H-4.75 L-21 Dia-7 inches
Barrel: 16.250"; 1.750" x 1.500"
Lock: 5.125" x 1.000"
Trigger guard: 9.375"
Butt tang: 2.750"

Description:

Blunderbuss, probably English in origin, with brass furniture embellished by engraving. Brass escutcheon plate with inscription that reads: "Capt. John Willey from Gen. McClary." Octagonal breech that rounds out and becomes a flared opening at the end of the barrel. Barrel, lockplate/cock, and ramrod are steel. Cock contains a piece of wood that is probably meant to represent a piece of flint. Frizzen shows considerable wear, which may be indicative of heavy use. Maker's mark is illegible.

Some of the brass furniture has been replaced or embellished, and there are signs of some alterations/repairs around furniture and lock.

Provenance:

The blunderbuss is a muzzle-loading firearm with a short, large-caliber barrel which is flared at the muzzle and used with shot and other projectiles of relevant quantity and/or caliber. From the early seventeenth through the nineteenth centuries, the blunderbuss was considered an early form of the shotgun. Therefore, although very effective at short range, it lacked any sort of accuracy for targets at long range.

The term "blunderbuss" is of Dutch origin, from the word "donderbus," which means "thunder pipe." The blunderbuss was usually issued to troops such as cavalry, who needed a lightweight and easily-handled weapon. Naval officers also frequently carried these weapons for use in close-quarters boarding situations.

General Michael McClary (1753-1824) was appointed ensign to Captain Dearborn's company in John Stark's regiment, where he fought at the Battle of Bunker Hill. He was in the army for four years and saw service in some of the heaviest engagments of the American Revolution. After leaving the army, McClary aided in forming the New Hampshire state government, and held the office of Adjustant General for twenty-one years. It was largely through his influence that the New Hampshire chapter of the Society of the Cincinnati was formed, of which he was treasurer for twenty-five years.

Subjects:

Blunderbuss, Revolutionary Weapons, Weapons, Colonial American Arms and Armor

People:

McClary, John, Willey, John, McClary, Michael

Place of Origin:

Possibly England

Collection Name:

Society of the Cincinnati in the State of New Hampshire

Item Number:

1990.016

Accession Number:

1990.016

Type of Material:

Objects

Copyright Statement:

For information regarding copyright, permissions, and reproductions contact the American Independence Museum

Credit Line:

American Independence Museum

Participating Organization:

American Independence Museum