Since the introduction of the flintlock musket in the 17th century, military small arms have gone through a series of significant changes. Small arm, any handheld firearm. Blunderbusses were also used for crowd control or clearing the decks, as the mere sight of the gun in hand served as a deterrent to potential challengers. Pirates would begin their assault by hammering away at a victim ship’s broadsides with cannon and swivel gun fire, or opt for a stealthy insertion, usually at night, coming in close on smaller skiffs and quietly boarding. The gun’s flared muzzle made it easier to load in the chaos of battle, particularly in some of the more precarious places aboard ships, such as rigging and water-slicked decks rocking port and starboard. Today, the NRA National Firearm Museum in Fairfax, Virginia, houses a few examples of blunderbusses for visitors to observe: a Spanish Miquelet Blunderbuss from the mid-17th century, and the Wilson Flintlock Blunderbuss Pistol. https://guns.fandom.com/wiki/Blunderbuss?oldid=70077. A blunderbuss (from Dutch donderbus roughly translated as "thunder pipe"), was a type of firearm that used a large-caliber barrel with a flared, trumpet-like muzzle, and were designed to be loaded with shot instead of musket balls. Brown - Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The height of the blunderbuss coincides with the “Golden Age of Piracy” in the mid-1700s, coaxed by high unemployment and desperation in the wake of the War of Spanish Succession. The Looney Toons depiction of using the flared muzzle to load the weapon with random junk and shrapnel is not true to history: doing so would damage the weapon. They could be of either carbine or pistol length: a pistol-sized Blunderbuss was sometimes called a Dragon, and such weapons became so closely associated with cavalry that the corruption Dragoon was commonly used to refer to units of horse cavalry with infantry training. The flaring was intended to scatter the shot at very close range, an effect that later scientific experiments showed did not occur. (Photo courtesy/Militaryheritage.com)Boasting a short stock, the blunderbuss was a hybrid of a pistol and a carbine, often hip-fired due to its short length and powerful recoil, comparable to a modern shotgun. by Jason J. "D'ye spy wit' ye eye that shinin' galley over thar? A flintlock blunderbuss. The flaring was intended to scatter the shot at very close range, an effect that later scientific experiments showed did not occur. i reckon we raise th' black flag, pull beside her, jump over th' rails 'n take her treasure! The blunderbuss was thus the ancestor of the shotgun. Needless to say, the more crudely fashioned projectiles were not good for the integrity of the barrel, but in the heat of battle, served as dangerous implements. (Photo courtesy/Militaryheritage.com). Ironically, England was home to most gunmakers who manufactured blunderbusses, with scattered armories in northern Europe and even Harpers Ferry, Virginia (part of modern West Virginia) producing small numbers of the thumper. "Wait, swords and what?In the chaos of being boarded by pirates, surrounded by frothing seas, splintering timber, and crew members clashing with raiders pouring onto the besieged vessel, the throng of saltwater, sweat and blood is all punctuated by the terrifying roar of a dragon of a gun – the blunderbuss. They were popular for shipboard use where their short range was much less of a factor, and long (14-18 inch barrel) blunderbusses were issued to British mail coaches for protection from highwaymen, a forerunner to the use of true shotguns as "coach guns.". The raiders revealed their flags just prior to attacking, further striking fear into soon-to-be-beleaguered seamen, launching themselves onto the deck flashing cutlasses, axes, knives, pikes, and the mighty blunderbuss. By employing different projectiles and successively improved chemical propellants, the dual goal of most arms designers has…. The ATF requires rifling to be classified as a pistol or a rifle. About the NRA   •   About NRABlog   •     Comments Policy   •     Privacy Policy   •     © 2020 National Rifle Association of America, firearm education, safety and marksmanship training, Women On Target® Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. Hammer Women Of Distinction Award, Women's Wildlife Management / Conservation Scholarship, National Youth Shooting Sports Ambassadors, NRA Outstanding Achievement Youth Award Presented by Brownells, National Youth Shooting Sports Cooperative Program, Kimber Partners with NRA-ILA in Donation Match Campaign, Celebrate Independence Day With A Membership Deal From the NRAstore, NRA Launches Free Experienced Hunter Education Course, Support the NRA with a Historic Enfield Rifle, © 2020 National Rifle Association of America. The word “blunderbuss" is German in origin, finding its roots in the term “Donderbuschse,” or “thunder gun.” Make no mistake, the blunderbuss lived up to its namesake. By the middle of the 19th century, the wildly inaccurate and crude blunderbuss had become mostly obsolete, with the carbine, a shortened rifle, taking its place as a more accurate alternative. Instead, it served the twin functions of increasing spread and making it easier to pour powder and shot into the weapon. Pirates taken into British custody faced extreme humiliation and punishment, their bodies chained and display along wharves for months to serve as a warning to other raiders. However, the lore and legend of the blunderbuss keeps the imagery of the gun alive in film, books and in the hearts of collectors, as reproductions of the pirate’s gun are frequently seen in films and shows depicting 18th century raiders, and original blunderbusses have recently sold for up to $6,000 at auction. Boasting a short stock, the blunderbuss was a hybrid of a pistol and a carbine, often hip-fired due to its short length and powerful recoil, comparable to a modern shotgun. That ship be filled wit' gold 'n baubles 'n riches. The crude firearm, most frequently revisited in films and books as the choice weapon of marauders and mariners alike, was perfectly suited for close quarters battles. A blunderbuss is not a pistol nor a rifle, as a blunderbuss traditionally has a smooth bore. Gun Wiki is a FANDOM Lifestyle Community. While it sorely lacked in accuracy and range, it served well for men swarming tightly packed and ferociously defended decks, holds and galleys. We'll hit her broadsides wit' cannon fire, 'n mow her men below wit' swords 'n blunderbusses! The blunderbuss, forerunner of the shotgun, was common in the 18th century, though in use somewhat earlier and later. Blunderbusses could also be found affixed to ship’s railing or gunwales via a mounting swivel, becoming an improvised boat gun to clear decks when approaching alongside another vessel. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Who's wit' me!? Monday, September 19, 2016. 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