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Lot 1020
AN ENGLISH BRASS BARREL FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS,by Theophilus Clemmes, Shug Lane, London, c. 1773-80.
1 – 10 April 2025, 12:00 EDT
Online, Skinner Marlborough, MassachusettsSold for US$2,350 inc. premium
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Christopher Fox
Director
AN ENGLISH BRASS BARREL FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS,
by Theophilus Clemmes, Shug Lane, London, c. 1773-80.
by Theophilus Clemmes, Shug Lane, London, c. 1773-80.
19 in. brass barrel with flaring cannon muzzle, the octagon breech with "*/IB" barrel maker's mark and London Company of Gunmaker's proof marks, the top of the barrel engraved "CLEMMES=SHUG=LANE=LONDON"; flat lock plate with single line border engraving and pointed tail, the area beneath the pan engraved with a crown over "GR"; walnut stock with open-carved butt and checkered wrist; brass furniture including at butt plate stepped, pointed and foliate engraved tang, oval thumb piece, trigger guard with acorn finial, engraved flat side plate, and sheet brass rammer pipes, wood rammer.
Overall lg. 35 in.
Condition: Brass toned to yellow; lock toned to mottled brown, cock is likely an old replacement; stock has scattered dings and dents especially around the key slots; action does not engage half or full-cock positions; rammer missing head.
Overall lg. 35 in.
Condition: Brass toned to yellow; lock toned to mottled brown, cock is likely an old replacement; stock has scattered dings and dents especially around the key slots; action does not engage half or full-cock positions; rammer missing head.
Footnotes
Provenance
Sotheby's Arms & Armour auction, December 8, 1997. Lot 65.
Note
Theophilus Clemmes was the successor to James Barber who died in 1773. The barrel on this blunderbuss bears Barber's mark and was likely remaining stock that Clemmes used in his guns after Barber's death (Howard L. Blackmore Gunmakers of London 1350-1850 (York, PA: George Shumway Pub., 1986), pp, 46 and 71).








