This is an exceptionally rare and important Punt Gun. We were told that by repute it was used as a smugglers swivel gun. These were mounted to defend from and fire at the excise men and anyone else eager to get their hands on the tide's bounty and also used for shooting ducks! Impressed with a number 2 left of stock, the swivel mount holes still evident, some old and long since dead worm to the stock retreated yet part of it's remarkable history. English. Barrel and part of the mechanism are missing. Although latterly from an important Shropshire estate, we were advised that it had seen service along the Somerset coast out of Watchet. Splits and wear. An amazing decorative item and a reminder of the term "Gun boat diplomacy" the corrosion is concurrent with its life along the Bristol Channel. A breech loaded gun could be fired in relatively rapid succession using canisters of prepared black powder & projectiles called Mugs. One smuggler could feasibly use a swivel gun independently to wreak havoc on sailors aboard enemy ships, they made deadly anti-personnel weapons against tightly packed groups aboard a deck. A muzzle loaded swivel gun was indeed quite a force to be reckoned with. As a Punt Gun they were lethal too and would blast a lot of ducks at once, often used to "harvest" ducks for the cook!

Dimensions: H: 123cm (48.43in) | W: 11cm (4.33in) | D: 26cm (10.24in)

Period: George III