Sunday, August 26, 2007

Blunderbuss Pistols - More Nimble than Flintlocks

The Blunderbuss was commonly used as a defensive weapon on British, French, and American warships to repel would-be boarders. Most of these weapons are mid-sized, being smaller than most shoulder-fired arms, but larger than a pistol. Although fitted with a butt, the dimensions suggest that most were not really intended to be fired from the shoulder and were instead fired from the hip.


The compact dimensions of a blunderbuss would facilitate use in small spaces (e.g. on a ship, or in a house) and would also make storage easier. For those requiring an even smaller weapon, blunderbuss pistols were also produced, though these are now less common.
The blunderbuss was in use in the 17th century, and is the weapon most commonly pictured in the arms of the Pilgrims. Flintlock blunderbusses were also used by Catherine the Great's forces during foreign wars to expand Russia's territory.

The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.

Captain Morgan is more than just a guy on a bottle of rum

The 17th-century Caribbean privateer from Wales, Sir Henry Morgan was among England's most notorious and successful privateers. Known affectionately by bar-goers and Rum connoisseurs everywhere as Captain Morgan. It could be argued that Captain Morgan was a pirate, although most history references would list him as a privateer.

A privateer was a private warship authorized by a country's government by letters of marquee to attack foreign shipping. Strictly, a privateer was only entitled to attack enemy vessels during wartime. However, states often encouraged attacks on opposing powers while at peace, or on neutral vessels during time of war, blurring the line between privateering and piracy. Assuming Captain Morgan blurred those lines often, he was no stranger to The Blunderbuss.

The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.

Flintlocks and a Pirate Cutlass

Flintlock pistols were so called because the lock uses a flint to strike sparks into the priming pan when the trigger is pulled. Flintlocks may be any type of small arm: long gun or pistol, smoothbore or rifle, muzzleloader or breechloader.
Flintlock is the general term for any firearm based on the flintlock mechanism. However, one of the more popular types is the French or India Flintlock pistol, with an engraved handle, long thing barrel and steel highlights. Very often pirates of the 18th century carried French flintlock pistols in their raiding exploits. During the pirates glory days, from approximately 1640s until the 1680s, you would be able to find a pirate carrying on his person a flintlock pistol and a cutlass or sometimes a combination of both.
The Historical Weapons Store allows everyday collectors to experience pirate collectibles with high quality and reasonably priced items. A replica pirate cutlass, collectible pirate costumes and much more can be found at Historical Weapons Store. Also learn more about the history of pirates within our Articles Directory.