A Very Impressive Massive Flintlock Wall Gun

#101

A Very Impressive & Massive Antique Flintlock Wall Gun, circa. 1740-1760; (most likely French).  Earlier period heavy 23.25", 1.25" smooth-bore octagon barrel with very interesting markings (heavy pitting from exposure to the elements).  Huge unmarked 9.5" flintlock mechanism (rather crude) held to the stock by (3) side nails (screws).  Very odd that this size and weight of weapon is not mounted on a swivel.  Weapons of this size without a swivel or recoil spud were fired using a separate wood or iron mono-stand with a yoke at the top to rest the weight of the weapon on to fire if a wall or railing was not available.  The shape of the butt stock, lack of swivel mount, and recoil spud, leaves firing the weapon in a slightly vertical position to fire projectiles or incendiary (fire projectiles/pyrotechnics) from ship to ship or over castle/rampart walls.  Iron furniture includes the trigger guard, lower and upper barrel band at muzzle.  No butt plate.  The ram rod pipe and ram rod are missing (can be replaced).  The stock has simple incised decorative carving with some raised areas, artificial decorative stripes to resemble a figured wood such as tiger maple and is missing some wood due to wood worms eating away a section at the upper toe of the butt, otherwise solid with some stress cracks, minor loses, scratches and dings from years of service.  The gun is in its original flintlock configuration and is in good mechanical working order.  Measures 43" overall.  An awesome weapon...

NOTE - It is my opinion that the iron barrel is considerably older than the balance of the weapon.  The barrel may be as early as the 16th - 17th century and possibly made as a match-lock then later re-used to make the current weapon which was the type used on rampart walls and ships railings.  The shape of the butt stock, lack of swivel mount, and recoil spud, leaves firing the weapon in a slightly vertical position to fire projectiles or incendiary (fire projectiles/pyrotechnics) from ship to ship or over castle/rampart walls.  The touch hole area of the barrel has been altered/re-bushed (which is another supportive element to prove the barrel is possibly much earlier than the rest of the weapon).  Again, very odd that this gun is not mounted on a swivel or have any support.  I would never want to or could shoulder fire a weapon like this.  Very interesting...  

THE BARREL - the iron octagon barrel may have been made in France and has some very interesting markings.  There are clear French-style Fleur-de-lis over unidentified shield-shape stamps that the details have been rubbed out over the years.

Weighs: 37 pounds !!!

TTI-577523