Original British Brass Barrel Flintlock Coaching Blunderbuss by Joseph & William Richards of London with Spring Loaded Bayonet - circa 1810

Original Item: Only One Available. This is a fantastic Brass Blunderbuss Barreled Flintlock Coaching Gun, made by the London-based firm of Joseph & William Richards circa 1810. There were many gunsmiths of the time with the surname Richards, some closely related, and some not. This particular partnership was active on Staining Lane in London circa 1808-1810, per Howard L. Blackmore's fine work Gunmakers of London 1350-1850. It is all brass fitted, and bears lovely engraved designs on much of the metalwork, which are definitely hand executed. There is also a lovely oval escutcheon on the rear of the wrist, and the brass for the most part shows a lovely aged mustard patina. This lovely matured blunderbuss measures 27 ¾ inches in overall length with a 12 ¼ inch swamped brass barrel. This itself is fitted with a 9 ¼ inch long spring bayonet located on the top of the barrel. This is held closed by an iron safety catch on the barrel tang, and when released it locks into place. There is a