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The flintlock Blunderbuss is characterised by its short, yet large, calibre barrels, which are fixed towards the muzzle. Unlike the matchlock, the blunderbuss was used for close quarters combat, as it did not have effective range for long distance. The blunderbuss is compact and quickly became a military weapon, with even Tipu Sultan (1750-1799) adopting them for his army, only to be later taken away by the British in 1799 (to see the blunderbuss of Tipu Sultan, see The Met Museum, Accession number: 36.25.2227). The blunderbuss is seen as the predecessor to the modern day shotgun.
Examples of the blunderbuss in the market place are not scarce. There are many examples that feature a wooden build and basic flintlock mechanism. However, ornate examples are very rare. Our example is as such, and is one of a kind on the Arms and Armour market place today. This listed Ottoman Blunderbuss is elegantly decorated with silver gilt, which covers the wooden frame and is deliberately designed with repousse work; as a ‘sign of difference’ making this suitable for only a specific individual rather than being mass produced. The silver is two-tone, with it giving off a gold hue in certain locations. The barrel is made of Damascus steel that is covered in silver panels in the form of tendrils to match the rest of the blunderbuss, making it amalgamate into a singular design structure without interruption. Like most Blunderbuss’ of the period, our example also uses a flint striking ignition mechanism. This method was used from the early 17th century till the 19th century.
We were able to locate two similar examples, both in form and design that are attributed to c1810 and the Ottoman Empire. Both example are shared via the Ottoman Imperial Archives (link below) One is ‘Ottoman Silver Gilt Mounted Flintlock Blunderbuss, 1810 (Osmanlı Gümüş Kakma Tüfek)’. This example features a similar design, with the tendrils and silver panels along the entire length. The second example is ‘An Ottoman Horseman’s Blunderbuss of the Bodyguard of Sultan Mahmud II, 1810s (Osmanlı Tüfeği)’. This example also features a similar silver panel work and two-tone colouring to our example and is attributed to the Bodyguard of Sultan Mahmud II. Sultan Mahmud II was the 30th Sultan (ruler) of the Ottoman Empire from 1808 till 1839. These examples lead us to believe that our very rare Ottoman Blunderbuss also belonged to the Sultans army arsenal as it matches them in design and form.
All in all this is a very rare and exceptional quality Ottoman Blunderbuss – one of only a hand full available in the Antique Arms and Armour Market today.
References/suggested readings:
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). “Blunderbuss” . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
Eugene Rogan (4 October 2002). Outside In: Marginality in the Modern Middle East
https://islamansiklopedisi.org.tr/mahmud-ii–osmanli
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/24490
https://twitter.com/OttomanArchive/status/880021406888669186/photo/1
https://twitter.com/OttomanArchive/status/920725811510038528/photo/1
George Elliot Voyle, G. de Saint-Clair-Stevenson (1876). A Military Dictionary. W. Clowes & Sons. pp. 43, 114
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Stock Number: 9682
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