REVENUE CUTTER BLUNDERBUSS
AN EXTREMELY RARE NAMED REVENUE CUTTER BLUNDERBUSS FROM USRC RUSH OF THE REVENUE-MARINE (RENAMED UNITED STATES REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE 1894, UNITED STATES COAST GUARD FROM 1915)
Exceptionally rare Flintlock Blunderbuss marked to the Revenue Cutter Rush. This would be the USRC Rush (1831). https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/USRC_Rush_(1831) Research has eliminated Revenue Cutters from England or elsewhere as there are none recorded by that name.
This is believed to be one of the earliest (maybe the earliest) antique firearms that can be attributed to the USRC. It was made circa 1790 by the Irish maker Thomas Fowler of Dublin (in business from 1790-1830) who also made similar items for Dublin Castle. Indeed, many of the Dublin Castle arms were sold off in the 1820 and 1830's so this may even have been one of those items. However, it is much more likely that the blunderbuss was acquired by the U.S. Revenue-Marine a lot earlier than 1831 and issued to the USRC Rush from stores. Indeed, this blunderbuss could have been acquired and used when the U.S. Revenue-Marine was formed in 1790 as the proof marks, lock and style of blunderbuss are early - Fowlers later blunderbusses invariably had sprung bayonets and more refined flintlocks with throat hole flintcocks, roller frizzen mechanisms etc. Between 1790 and 1798 the Revenue-Marine was the only armed maritime service of the United States.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Revenue_Cutter_Service
To our knowledge there were very few specialist blunderbuss makers in the USA at that time (1790) so it would not be unusual for the U.S. Revenue-Marine to equip with blunderbusses from an Irish or British maker.
Interestingly, this flintlock blunderbuss was obviously used well into the 1830's, due to its association with the Rush, which is late for flintlocks but mirrors the fact that flintlocks were still made and used by English Revenue, Customs and Police in the late 1830's with contracted makers such as Harding. William IV regulation cavalry pistols were still being made with flintlock ignition until 1837 rather than the percussion system.
The blunderbuss is in well used condition but original. It has a 17" two stage octagonal and round barrel with flared muzzle, London proof marks, floral engraving to breech area, brass furniture of trigger guard and butt plate, horn tipped ramrod with extractor worm, lock marked FOWLER and most importantly the original marking on the top flat of REV E RUSH 2 with the E after REV above the letters which denotes an abbreviated word, in this case Revenue. The stock has had a few old repairs around the shoulder on the left side. There is another mark 'WA196' on the buttplate which may be an inventory number but despite the small size of the mark it is more likely to be an Irish Registration mark for Waterford which indicates the blunderbuss came back to Ireland around 1843 after its period of USRC service. Overall length of the blunderbuss is 32.5 inches.
An exceptionally rare and possibly unique U.S. Revenue-Marine/ Cutter Service / Coast Guard item.
Price: £5,500.00
Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing this item - quoting reference: SKU 630D
The price includes UK mainland delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.
RAJASTAN ARMOURY INDIAN MATCHLOCK TORADOR
EARLY 19TH CENTURY INDIAN DALHOUSIE ARMOURY MATCHLOCK TORADOR
Description to follow
Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information.
Price: £575.00
Please contact us if you are interested in purchasing this item - quoting reference: SKU: 622D
The price includes UK mainland delivery. No licence is required to possess this item in the UK if owned as a curio as part of a collection or display.
