18641 BRITISH BLUNDERBUSS

Made by Dooley. The brass barrel is 14” long. It has an octagonal cross section at the breech with a turned ring transition to round and then flared at the muzzle with a bore of 1 ¼”. Decorative turnings are also present at the muzzle. A spring loaded steel bayonet is hinged on top of the barrel just behind the muzzle and extends all the way to the breech. It is held in place by a sliding latch on top of the breechplug tang. The barrel has a nice aged brass coloration and is engraved on the top flat “DOOLEY, WARRINGTON.” Light scroll engraving is present on the patent hook breechplug and tang. The backaction lock mechanism is also scroll engraved in the English style and is marked with the maker’s name. The graceful round faced hammer also has engraving on it but does have some moderate pitting on the upper portion. Moderate pitting is also present on the snail drum of the breechplug and on the lockplate. The nipple is broken and the nut which holds the hammer in place is missing. The stock is made of walnut and extends to within 2 ½” of the muzzle. The barrel is held in the stock by two flat barrel keys with no escutcheons. A hole is present through the forward portion of the forend for the attachment of a sling swivel which is missing. A corresponding hole on the bottom of the buttstock just behind the triggerguard is empty. The stock has some light curl figure in the butt area and has most of the original varnish remaining. The is a crack in the stock extending from the middle of the lockplate to the back of the breechplug tang. This crack does not go all the way through the stock. The stock is mounted with brass furniture including the buttplate, patchbox, triggerguard and ramrod thimble. Light engraving is present on the buttplate tang, the patchbox and on the triggerguard. Lock works perfectly. Checkering is present on the straight grip wrist. Overall condition of the gun is fine.