^Lot 5357 DOG LOCK BRASS BARREL BLUNDERBUSS BY R. SILKE OF

LONDON CIRCA 1690. Cal. 1.50" at muzzle. NSN. The 16" barrel with raised breech area transitions from octagonal, to sixteen sided, to round, through a turned band and then flares to muzzle. Very early London black powder proofs and barrel maker's initials "RS" are on top left flat. Lock with flat plate and chamfered tail is fitted with broad flat cock that mounts to tumbler with an integral peg. Sear acts horizontally similar to a Miquelet. A pivoting dog attaches behind cock and engages deep notch at back of cock. "V" shaped pan is inset and attaches by external screw. Unbridled friction frizzen is well filed, feather spring is filed to match and has foliate finial. Lock plate and cock are engraved with large scrolling acanthus with floral highlights "R. SILKE" (there are two Roberts, father & son, working in London between 1680-1700) is at bottom center of plate. European walnut stock (a possible later replacement) extends to within 1/4" of muzzle and is pinned to barrel. Brass mounts are not of the quality exhibited by barrel and lock and are made of sheet brass with tacked on buttplate and pierced scrolling sideplate. Trigger guard is hand forged iron and not inletted at rear. Hickory ramrod with brass disc on tip mounts through early style multi-turned brass pipe and simple hole as thimble. CONDITION: fair to good. Barrel with considerable old polish is presently a golden hue. Lock shows light cleaning to pewter gray over considerable minor pitting. Stock with some old finish shows many chips; crack on right side and missing wood around barrel tang. Repairs with replaced wood are at top front of lock and 11" toward muzzle on right side with 5" at muzzle on left. Bore is good. Lock with not hold at full cock. PROVENANCE: Estate Collection of Nicholas Apergis. (01-27501/MGM). ANTIQUE. $1,200-1,800.