AN early flintlock blunderbuss built by the renowned Worcester master gunmaker John Perrins has been sold at auction in Sussex for almost £3,200. As the only one of its kind remaining, it represented a unique

example of Perrins’ supreme craftsmanship.

The brass barrelled flintlock blunderbuss, which changed hands between private collectors, was constructed by John Perrins when he was in business in Faversham Kent between 1823-1826. He subsequently established

his business as a gunmaker in College Street Worcester in 1831 and the family business continued with his sons until 1892.

Vaughan Wiltshire of the Perrins & Son Gunmakers Club explained:

“This flintlock blunderbuss would probably have been sold to a wealthy householder in Kent in the 1820s who wanted to protect his house and property. Most likely it would have been carried by his servant or by his coachman when travelling.

“Loaded with ten or twelve lead balls the size of a pea the effective range was 25 yards or less. Because blunderbusses were often carried on coaches the barrels were forged in brass to prevent corrosion.

As one-shot weapon  blunderbusses were often fitted with a spring-operated bayonet locked flat along the top of the barrel and released by a catch allowing the bayonet to spring forward. This Perrins blunderbuss is fitted with a top bayonet released by a catch

on the breech tang. Although spring bayonets were not uncommon on blunderbusses of the 18th

and 19th  centuries there are no reports from that period of them ever being used against attackers.”

The Perrins Gun Club was founded by John Clements, Lynn Hennessy and Vaughan Wiltshire in 2009 with the purpose of identifying and researching guns built by John Perrins and his sons John (Jnr) and Henry.

More than 100 examples of guns built by the Perrins family have been identified, demonstrating the precision engineering employed to meet the changing technology between 1820 to 1890. Many of the Perrins sporting guns are still shot on a regular basis and

handle well in either clay or game shooting.

Mr Clements added: “Research has shown that the Perrins family were exceptional gunmakers and John Perrins brother Thomas Perrins established a business in Windsor, where he built superb guns for Prince Albert

which are now in the Royal collection at Windsor Castle”

As John Perrins & Sons expanded  they moved premises in Worcester from College Street to 4, St Swithins Street  to 6 Mealcheapen Street, and finally to 59 Broad Street. In August 2018 a Blue Heritage Plaque

was unveiled by the Mayor of Worcester Cllr Jabba Riaz at 6 Mealcheapen Street in memory of John Perrins & Sons master gunmakers of Worcester.