Ripoll Blunderbuss Rifle, By Juan Pigrav Spain, 18th Century

This Spanish blunderbuss is of a style that allows it to be attributed to the Ripoll area, a famous gunmaking center in Spanish Catalonia. The weapon is of quality, as evidenced by the signature of the barrel and the silver decorations, as well as the chiseling. It is probably a private order.
BARREL: It begins with facets, up to half of its length, then becomes cylindro-conical to end with a flared mouth 4.5 cm in diameter. The first half of the barrel has silver inlays with leaf and flower motifs. At the level of the thunder, we find three small punches in fleur-de-lys, and the gunsmith's mark, a little worn, "JUAN PI GRAV". This gunsmith is known in acivity 1767-1780, in th esmall town of Torrent, (old name was "Torento") in the Ripoll area (The two cities are located in the north-east of Spain, about 60 km in a straight line).
One pair of pistols signed Juan pigrav have been sold on December 2 1991 by Rock Islan Auction for $2500 without taxes ($ 3300 taxes includes) and arifle signed Juan Pigrav is in the collections of TheKultur Museum in th ecity of Lund, Sweden.
The style of the weapon is in any case typical of the manufactures of the Ripoll area. Barrel length = 42.5 cm
MECHANISM: The lock is classic, it is of the European type and therefore does not use the Spanish system called "miquelet". This allows us to date the weapon from the second half of the 18th century.
The operation is impeccable, the two notches catch cleanly. The internal spring was repaired at a previous time at the level of a non-through crack. It functions normally. The basin is made of brass, it is carefully worked. The plate of the lock, the hammer and the battery are engraved with plant motifs in the typical style of the 18th century.
STOCK: it is in good condition, without breaks, cracks or missing parts. Multiple silver inlays representing flowers. The trigger guard is richly chiseled with a tree of life and plant motifs. The butt plate is strangely decorated with a seal of Solomon (Star of David and central flower) as well as a sun and a moon. Repousse silver bracelets, and partially gilded, connect the barrel to the stock.
They are not essential to hold the barrel, since it is held by a steel pin 10 cm from the end of the barrel. These are indeed pieces made for this weapon and not reused oriental bracelets, since they are asymmetrical in their decoration.
They are very easy to remove if desired, just pull the small silver pin that holds each one closed. Under the bracelets, the wooden rifle and barrel are in perfect condition.
RAMROD: it is made of steel, it is the original rod.
Shipping costs France 30€, Europe 50€ no shipping outside Europe.
Ref D-2446