Original Spanish? Smoothbore

[Blackfeet]

more

[mongrel]

Wow. Just -- wow.

Another on a long, long list of proofs that guns and gunsmiths of old don't have to take a back seat to their modern counterparts. All without benefit of milling machines, CNC equipment, or other modern assists to exquisite workmanship. That is simply beautiful.

[mongrel]

I'm glad you got this gun, but it slightly saddens me to think -- you mentioned a pawnbroker and a sum of money (opening bid price) that I'm guessing wouldn't even cover the lock if the gun were properly appraised. I wonder how many really fine, interesting, and historically significant firearms have been and continue to be lost because someone not knowing or caring sees only an old gun or someone hard-up for cash can't afford to consider the actual value, and something gets sold or traded off. In many cases I'm sure the buyer appreciates what he's found (as you do), but in cases where the buyer doesn't, or a series of buyers don't, the provenance and much of the significance of a particular gun is liable to be lost. A great many people who buy a "neat old gun" on an auction site or in a pawn shop would probably never happen to cross paths with the sort of gun collector who'd recognize what they had, or think to contact such a person -- and for all intents and purposes the gun in question disappears, along with all that might be learned from it.

I missed a lot of details when I first looked at your pictures, last night (very late, very tired). The lock's an original percussion, not a conversion, and of German origin to judge by the maker's name on the lockplate -- not to mention the clockwork innards of the lock, a specialty of the Germans. I'm a little surprised that that trigger/sear arranagement is found on a percussion-era gun, but it just goes to show that one can never say "always" or "never" when dealing with antique firearms. Modern thinking would jump to the mistaken assumption that once a significantly more efficient (and simpler) lockwork was devised, the improved design would ALWAYS be used, and the old, NEVER, because that only makes perfect sense -- to us.

I doubt the nameplate indicates an award -- "Carlos Alonso" was most likely a wealthy Spanish patron of the gunmaking arts and the nameplate would have been a point of pride for both buyer and builder. Senor Alonso took pride in the statement, "This piece of art was made for ME" while the gunsmith would have been proud to make the statement, "I am honored to have built this for Carlos Alonso."

Allow me to say, again, my GOD what a beautiful gun. And, yes, I am awed by the lockwork, as by all the details. I would suggest appraisal and insurance, first to know what you have and then to be protected if the worst should happen somewhere down the road....

[Red Badger]

I would agree with Mike on this!

[Blackfeet]

I was actually the second bidder, it went all the way up to $204, $239 shipped. I did insure the shipping for $500. By the way, that Blunderbuss sold for about $4000 and it appears to be a lot less gun. The problem is , as Mongrel pointed out very well, without an appraisal, it's history will be lost. The pictures at the auction site, GB, did not give any indication as to the uniqueness of lock or ramrod and only showed a bit of the stock and features. I actually figured that it was a 1950's or so reproduction that would be a fun beater fowler.


Does this mean that I should not shoot it?

[mongrel]

Better get it appraised and base your decision on that. Just my humble opinion. Normally I'm an advocate for the philosophy that if it's a gun and in good working order, it should be shot -- but this may be an exception. It isn't like there's a single part of it that can be fixed (without an enormous price tag attached) if something breaks or even gets dinged.

[Blackfeet]

You are right of course.
On a side note, I know that I also can't change/refinish anything but you have no idea how badly I would like to steam a couple of the handling dings out of this stock that I suspect are new

Are there any special things that should be done if I were to display this pending appraisal. Humidity and such because I have seen museum pieces of similar age (Gunsmiths of Vermont collection) in less pristine condition.

Who would know who to contact in regard to appraisal?

[mongrel]

Right off the top of my head, I'd suggest Dixie Gun Works. They have a very good appraisal service and can probably also recommend someone more in your neck of the woods, being as how they're in Tennessee and obviously they're not.

I would go on-line, also, and do a search on gun collectors' clubs and associations in your region. Make inquiries of the ones that appeal to your good judgement and see what you come up with.

You're fortunate in that you live in a region rich in firearms history, meaning a sizeable population of collectors and others specializing in not only rare and valuable guns, but in being able to identify and evaluate rare and valuable guns. Finding someone qualified to identify and evaluate YOUR (most likely) rare and valuable gun ought to be fairly easy.

If you don't turn up anything in the meantime, one evening this week when I need a break from the shop I'll see what's listed in "Flayderman's Guide To Antique American Firearms" in the way of appraisal services. Your gun obviously isn't American, but the specialists in the antique guns of this country will no doubt be aware of who specializes in the antique guns of other nations.

[cward]

don't recognize the make ,  but man that's a sweet piece. anyone would be proud to have that.!!!!!!!!!!