A Fabulous & Most Rare Early, Large Irish Brass Barrelled Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol, Circa 1700's By Irish Master Gunsmith, Mr O'Shiels. His Surviving Master Works Are Now Almost Non Existant

A stunning and beautiful flintlock, with a lock bearing the maker's name, within a lozenge shaped poincon stamp, of its Irish gunsmith.

Surviving examples of his craftsmanship are exceptionally scarce. Historical tracking via antique arms experts, indicates that his surviving pieces may represent uniquely rare specimens of early Irish gunmaking

Through diligent research we can find no other example of his fine workmanship surviving in the world today. Therefore, this may well be a uniquely surviving example of his finest quality pistols remaining and still in existence. This is not to say definitively there are no other examples of his {Master Gunsmith O'Shiels} work remaining somewhere, maybe within a darkened corner of a distant museum, but we can certainly find no trace of one.

The surname O'Shiels (Ó Siadhail) historically belongs to an ancient Irish sept originally rooted in Donegal, Down, and Westmeath. While historically famous for producing hereditary doctors and physicians to Irish chieftains (like the famous confederate surgeon Owen O'Shiel), this particular artisan clearly channeled his talents into metallurgy and firearm manufacturing during the transition into the 18th century

The fine brass barrel is not proved which is exactly as we would expect to find, for prior to 1712, there was no requirement or legislation in place, to cover barrel proofing in Ireland, and although officially 1712 was the official date, some were finished with unproved barrels for a decade or so later. Indeed following the Act of Union in 1801 it could be surmised that all barrels would be subject to British proof, either by the Birmingham or London Proof Houses. However, this obviously did not occur, but when barrels were imported from Irish cities, they were later marked with the relevant British proofs. But arms that remained in Ireland may have spent their entire working lives unproved. The barrel is brass and its wonderful walnut stock has a magnificent patina.

The butt cap bears the Queen Anne type grotesque butt mask, but most unusually this has a double face, both grimacing one way, and sad, when viewed from the opposite side.


Every single item from The Lanes Armoury is accompanied by our unique Certificate of Authenticity. Part of our continued dedication to maintain the standards forged by us over the past 100 years of our family’s trading

Approx 15 inches long overall

Code: 23554