How to Fire a Blunderbuss

The blunderbuss takes its name from the Dutch words for "thunder" (donner) and "gun" (bus). Its name likely corrupted to the form "blunderbuss" because the flared musket was as likely to shoot wide of a target as to hit it. In essence, the blunderbuss is to the musket what the sawed-off shotgun is to the rifle, a weapon designed to hunt waterfowl and to be used at close range.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Blunderbuss
• Gunpowder
• Wadding
• Lead shot (may substitute gravel or nails)
• Ramrod
• Tripod (optional)

Loading the Blunderbuss

1. Pour a measured quantity of gunpowder down the barrel of the blunderbuss. The amount of gunpowder used will determine how much force with which the shot will be expelled when the blunderbuss is fired; however, too much powder will cause the gun to recoil dangerously and may rupture its barrel.

2. Follow the gunpowder with a piece of cotton wadding.

3. Add the shot. Lead shot works best, but in its absence, nails, rocks, pebbles or birdseed may be substituted. In J.R.R. Tolkien's "Farmer Giles of Ham," blunderbussier (blunderbuss shooter) Farmer Giles uses potsherds as ammunition.

4. Tamp everything down by using the ramrod to pack it together at the end of the barrel next to the flash pan. Remove the ramrod.

Firing the Blunderbuss

5. Prime the blunderbuss by pouring a small amount of gunpowder into its flash pan.

6. Grip the weapon firmly, adopting a comfortable stance for shooting.

7. Raise the gun to either shoulder or hip height, depending on the length of the stock. Some blunderbusses were designed to be fired from the shoulder like muskets; others were meant to be shot like pistols.

8. Brace the blunderbuss with a tripod or other support if you are firing a particularly powerful load.

9. Pull the trigger. Most blunderbusses were flintlocks, although some used wheel or percussion locks.

Tips & Warnings

• To become comfortable with shooting the blunderbuss (or any flintlock), practice by "dry firing" the gun with no load or priming powder, replacing the flint with an equivalent piece of hardwood. When you are comfortable with the gun's weight, restore the flint and lightly prime the flash pan. As you learn to hold the gun steady while firing, shoot light loads, gradually increasing them as you learn to keep the gun aimed at its target.
• The average blunderbuss could spread shot over a range of 4 feet at a distance of 60 feet. Do not have anyone stand anywhere in front of the blunderbussier when firing the blunderbuss.
• Do not overload the blunderbuss with more powder and shot than it was designed to handle. This could cause the barrel to explode and injure or kill the shooter instead of or in addition to the target.

Resources

• Buy a replica blunderbuss from A2 Armory.