Very Rare Brass Barrel English Flintlock Blunderbuss With Under-mounted Spring Bayonet By Ketland & Co. Circa 1780

15 and 3/8th inch barrel. 1 and 1/16th inches across the muzzle. The brass barrel is octagonal at breech with 4 ‘wedding rings’. Beautifully engraved “London” in script. Gunmaker’s proofs and sunken “TK” cartouche for Thomas Ketland (1737-1816).

Stepped, bolted lock signed in script “Ketland & Co”. Swan neck cock with finely engraved cock screw. All small parts including top jaw, screw, and frizzen are all original to the blunderbuss. Finely engraved brass furniture comprising sideplate, buttplate, and triggerguard, 7 and 1/2 inch triangular bayonet.

The beautifully figured walnut half stock is moulded behind the breech. Condition of barrel is fine with clear engraving and few minor marks. The lock with very minor pitting but good color and engraving. Stock is excellent with much original varnish and negligible marks and virtually no wear. Action is excellent with crisp half and full cock.

The bayonet snaps out with great force like when it was new in the 18th century. Even the ramrod is original with its worm. The form is outstanding reminiscent of 1st Model Brown Bess.

One of the finest and rarest blunderbusses we have seen. It is a pleasure to offer this superb example to the firearms collecting public.