Blunderbuss
Historical Gunsmiths (generic) · Shotgun · Out Of Production · 1650
Also known as: Donderbus, Thunder box, Coach gun (period sense), Dragon
Overview
The blunderbuss is a 17th- to mid-19th-century muzzle-loading smoothbore firearm distinguished by a short, large-bore barrel that flares into a bell-shaped muzzle. The flare aided rapid loading of a charge of loose lead shot or buck-and-ball rather than spreading the pattern much, and the gun delivered a devastating short-range blast ideal for confined spaces such as coaches, ships' decks and doorways. Its name derives from the Dutch donderbus, or thunder box, capturing its loud, intimidating report. Carried by coach and mail guards, sailors, and home defenders, it was the close-quarters scattergun of the flintlock age.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3000 g (105.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 750 mm (29.53") |
| Barrel Length | 410 mm (16.14") |
| Action Type | Muzzleloader |
| Firing Mechanism | Flintlock |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Muzzle Velocity | 250 m/s (820 fps) |
| Effective Range | 18 m (20 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 2 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | None |
| Barrel Material | Brass |
| Stock Material | Wood |
Calibers
- Blunderbuss Bore (loose shot) · primary — also known as ~.75 bore, lead shot charge, buck and ball
Features
- Firing modes: Manual
- Feed systems: Muzzle Loaded
- Features: Smoothbore Barrel, Flared Muzzle, Muzzle Loaded, Loose Shot Load, Brass Barrel, Ramrod, Spring Bayonet
Variants
- Coaching Blunderbuss — Configuration
- Naval/Sea Service Blunderbuss — Configuration
- Dragon (blunderbuss pistol) — Size
Service history
Operators
- Royal Mail coach guards
- Royal Navy (boarding/sea service)
- Ottoman and North African forces
Conflicts
- American Revolutionary War (1775-1783)
- Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815)
Production
Production years: 1650-1840
Produced by many gunmakers across Europe; the Royal Mail ordered flintlock blunderbusses as late as 1840. No central totals.
Origin
Country of origin: United Kingdom
Discontinued: 1840
Notes
Bore, length and weight varied widely between makers; the .75-class breech bore and roughly 14-18 in barrel are typical of a coaching/sea-service blunderbuss. Many had brass barrels and some had folding spring bayonets. Velocity is approximate for loose-shot loads.
Background
Contrary to its fearsome reputation, the flared muzzle did little to widen the shot pattern; its real purpose was to let a rider or guard on a swaying coach pour powder and shot down the barrel quickly without spilling, making it more about speed of loading than spread.