Jabez Bloxham Welch (Banbury) With Integral Folding Bayonet & Ram Rod. Sn 22697:1 Muzzleloader None

C1830 English Jabez Bloxham Welch Banbury Nipple & Drum Percussion Converted from Flintlock Coaching Blunderbuss With Integral Folding Bayonet & Ram Rod. Sn 22697:1 - 22697:1

Jabez Bloxham Welch was an English gunmaker recorded as working in the market town, Banbury on the River Cherwell in Oxfordshire between 1829 & 1852 (see page 105 of English Gunmakers by Bailey & Nie). We can find no other gunmakers named Welch working in the flintlock / percussion era in Banbury. This is an excellent Blunderbuss no doubt by Jabez Bloxham Welch and is of the type favoured by Coach drivers for self protection against Highwaymen. It is 28 ½” overall (bayonet closed) with a 12 ½” round steel barrel which is a large 1 ¼” width at the muzzle opening. The smooth bore has just light staining consistent with age & use. The underside of the barrel beneath the wood has initials ‘E.B’ most likely Welch’s barrel maker. The top of the barrel has English black powder proofs and is signed ‘Banbury’. The blunderbuss, originally a flintlock was period nipple & drum converted to percussion. It has a Dolphin hammer & steel lock plate which has foliate engraved decoration and is signed by the maker ‘Welch’. The action also has part of a sliding safety bolt probably from when it was a flintlock. The safety slides but does not lock the percussion hammer to safety. It has all original Walnut full stock with chequered wrist panels and steel mounts. The top of the wrist is inlaid with void brass shield escutcheon. The wood has just light age and handling related bumps and bruises. The trigger guard with extended tang and finial & butt plate tang have light foliate engraved decoration. a sliding safety bolt that works as it should. It has an ebonised wood ramrod with brass end cap and tip which unscrews to reveal a steel worm. The blunderbuss has its original integral folding bayonet mounted on top of the barrel which is retained by a spring clip at the muzzle end & sliding catch at the breech. The spring clips works correctly and the 9 ½” fullered triangular shaped blade tapers to a pin sharp point. The weapon cocks and dry fires crisply. The price for this quality Blunderbuss includes UK delivery. NB As an antique percussion weapon no licence is required to own this item in the UK if retained as part of a private collection or display. Sn 22697:1

£1,950.00