Subject: pirate
Culture: colonial English
Setting: Golden Age of Piracy, Caribbean/Atlantic 1714-1722
Object: guns > blunderbuss
* National Museum of Crime and Punishment > A Notorious History of American Crime
"ITALIAN DAFINO BRASS MOUNTED FLINTLOCK BLUNDERBUSS
Just as the musketoon (a shorter veresion of a long rifle or musket) the blunderbuss was an effective close range weapon used by pirates. The barrel was flared at the end much like a funnel and was supposed to increase the weapon[']s shot pattern.
"As with all firearms of this period, one major drawback was keeping the essential black powder dry for effective operation. This was not always easy for members aboard ship at sea."* National Museum of Crime and Punishment > A Notorious History of American Crime
"BRASS BARREL FLINTLOCK DECK/RAIL GUN
This particular type of blunderbuss was affixed with a large bore barrel and equipped with a ship[']s deck rail mount. It was effective for close range assault and defense much like the small bore swivel cannon.
"Much like other blunderbuss weapons of the period it fired a large ball or a cluster of small balls, nails, metal fragments, glass or just about anything that was readily available."
