I hope this post finds everyone healthy, wealthy, and wise! In September I had Jim Bailey of Fuquay Varina , North Carolina build me a lefthanded ( or should i say a proper handed) blunderbuss. Like all things 17-18th century nautical, this weapon has always fascinated me. I have heard many rumors associated with these weapons. It was Blackbeard's favorite weapon ( I still want to be Blackbeard when I grow up! :lol: ), if you fired it from the shoulder it would break your arm, it was not accurate past a few feet, etc. I HAD TO FIND OUT FOR MYSELF! This blunderbuss is 28 inches in length with a 14 inch barrel. The barrel runs from octagon to round with a mouth 1 1/4 inches in diameter. The barrel is browned to discourage rust. The lock is an L&R Queen Anne pistol lock. The wood is a finely turned curly maple, stained to a dark tint with a hint of deep red. It has a leather sling and swivel mounts. It has no sights. When you put it to your shoulder and look down the barrel you get the same visual effect sailors did when they looked out of a gunport at an enemy vessel over the top of a cannon . THAT is an awesome feeling!

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The sideplate is a serpent sideplate made by Caywood Guns. Caywood produces fine quality parts and completed guns. I have the pleasure of owning one of their Wilson Chief's Grade Trade Rifles in 54 cal. Although the serpent sideplate was popular with Native Amercians, it would not be amiss on a naval gun of above munitions grade quality, so I went with it.


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This blunderbuss is 78cal./10 gauge. It is capable of firing single ball, birdshot, buckshot, etc. I have fired both 78 caliber single ball and 7 weight birdshot out of it. I really want to work up a buckshot load of 12 Double 00 buck pellets. When shooting 78 caliber ball, I use the load seen below. Loaded in order from left to right, 55 grains of FFG Black Powder, seal patch, 78 caliber ball, and finally a prelubed seal patch. The dime in the picture is for size comparison.

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CONCLUSION: A BLUNDERBUSS IS A FANTASTIC WEAPON IF YOUR THE SHOOTER, AND A TERRIBLE WEAPON WHEN YOU ARE THE RECEIVER! I fired twenty rounds from this blunderbuss at our November Shoot. I used the load listed above at a range of 25 yards. I fired from the shoulder with no support or prop. As you can see 16 rounds hit the paper, one round nicked the right side/lower center, and 3 missed the paper by an inch or less at the 5:00 postion. Any one of these twenty rounds would have quickly incapacitated an opponent at 25 yards, and would problably have seriously wounded anyone standing behind him. My early shots were my best. After 15 rounds my aim tended to go right and low. The kick, while fierce, was not unmanageable at all. My arm was tired and lightly bruised. My next goal is to try to get an mpeg of this blunderbuss firing at our January Shoot. Jim Bailey has created a very fine leftanded blunderbuss, and has allowed me to satisfy my curiousity about it's capabilities. It is a gun to mastered, and is well worth the effort it takes to do so!

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Greetings my Brother of Turcael,

I hope this holiday season finds you well.

Thanks so much for the review; it was quite a treat to see how well the blunderbuss turned out. With the gun and the Turcael backing it up, you've become quite a seafaring weapon.

I had been wondering about a possiblity of acquiring a flintlock, what w/ the Tomahawk you sold me and the primitive long knife I acquired from Patrick. Looks like Jim Bailey is someone I should keep in mind, if and when I decide to get the project going (which is not now, since I've got a few other things working at this time).

Thanks again. And Happy New Year.

Steve

p.s. Query: Why are there two powder horns?

Greetings to you my brother! I am glad all is well with you, and of course Happy New Year! Jim would be happy to create one of these for you, should you ever decide to acquire one. I believe that Mac has also expressed an interest as well. It really is an amazing gun. Atlanta rapidly approaches! Hope you plan to attend. I am making a New Years resolution to be more vigilant in posting on the forums. Nice to hear from you as always.

Best regards,
Ron

PS: The large powder horn holds FFG powder ( coarse grain powder) that is loaded down the barrel. The small horn primes the pan that ignites the powder in the barrel. It contains FFFFG powder, which is very fine and ignites quickly.

Beauty! Congratulations!

Hi Ron

Good to see you back .... we've missed you !

Excellent report on your shoot .... them blunderbuss are certainly the little beasties, but with a huge punch, for sure !

What's your opinion on firing one without shoulder support ? Would it kick the gun back into you ?

Thanks Ron, Slàinte, Mac

Hi Ron,

I just wanted to say that your new "gonn" looks terrific! You did well by putting
your faith in Mr. Jim. Do you think he could do something more Scottish,
like a herron-butt? I'm using a Dutch fowler with a paddle-like butt, but
would love to have something a little more "ethnic".

Alex

PS. Any more swords in the works?

Hi Mac! Thanks for your message! I have missed spending time on the forums, and it is nice to be back! To answer your question, it is not to be held loosely, as it does have significant kick both backwards and upwards at the same time. To hold it at your side and still maintain control you still have to put it close to your body. I find it uncomfortable and inaccurate. Clearing a quarterdeck , or creating an opening to board a vessel I think you would still have time to put it to your shoulder for a quick shot. It would certainly be more accurate and comfortable. I hope to get mpegs at the next shoot, and I will fire it both ways to see. The buckshot rounds should be in by then, so we can look at accuracy with heavy shot. Have you seen Master and Commander? IMHO it is a terrific movie. Like you with all things Scottish :lol: , I have always tended to 17th/18th century naval weapons over the years. I guess once a seadog, always a seadog. We just didn't use cutlass and pike when I was in.....and I am eternally grateful we didn't. HAPPY NEW YEAR MY FRIEND!!!!

Best regards,
Ron

Hi Alex. Nice to hear from you! If you have some ideas, please send them to me, and I will get them to Jim. He likes to try new projects. He and I are working on an idea for a pair of blunderbuss sea pistols in the future. He was really excited about giving them a try. He likes to see just what he can do, so send me some ideas! As for new sword projects....I really want to explore naval swords, so we shall see. I will keep you posted. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!

PS: I hope those extra shots of the Scottish bags helped, that was all I had.


Best Regards,
Ron

Hi Ron

Thanks .... I figured that was the case, in regards to firing unsupported !

I look forward to your videos with anticipation !

Mac

P.S. If you haven't seen them , check out these antique blunderbuss via Peter Finer !
http://www.artnet.com/ag/FineArtThumbnails.as...mp;page=11

Ron: Thanks so much for this. It was well worth the wait.

I've long felt that ball could be used effectively in this sort of blunderbuss, but I've never seen any info, either period or experimental, on the matter--so this is much appreciated. (By "this sort", I mean those in which the bore diameter appears to remain constant until you get to the belled muzzle, as opposed to those which appear to increase progressively in bore diameter from well back toward the breech.)

I'll be eagerly awaiting part 2.

BTW, while I have your attention, how would you feel about posting that "Salem" cutlass of yours here?

Hello Scott! Nice to hear from you, and very sorry it has taken me so long to post this review. I did not acquire the Salem Cutlass, but went with this cutlass instead. Circa 1690 clamshell cutlass. A CLASSIC pirate weapon! I will be posting a review of it soon.

Best regards,
Ron

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Blackbeard is alive and well *g*

Great pic, Ron , and what an awesome sword !

Another thread to look forward to , Cool ! Mac

Thanks Mac! I have always been a fan of Mr. Edward Teach or Thatch or..... I will be doing a review of this cutlass for sure.

Best regards,
Ron