It took me a years to find out why funnel on some old long guns

[Onty]

I was always puzzled why some old long guns had a funnel on the muzzle. I new that must be a valid reason for that, because it doesn't make sense to make a gun to look like trumpet for aesthetic reasons. Then, I stumbled upon this video:

 

[Lefty38-55]

But, but, but ... he couldn't be more WRONG!

One shot is not a valid test; on one level I appreciate his effort, but ... I sure wish people would do more research before posting videos about historic arms. FWIW the attached article details 108 patterning shots conducted to evaluate pellet dispersion in original blunderbuss barrels.

Summary on Page 8 - 'Myths of the Blunderbuss’ by Melvin Flanagan (American Society of Arms Collectors, Volume No. 96, Sept 2007):
"The results of these tests prove that the blunderbuss barrel did scatter shot over a larger area than a gun barrel without any flare."

Note however that the trumpet end of the muzzle did in fact aid in easier loading, whether it be on a rolling ship in seas or whilst rockin' on a coach/wagon escaping highway men! And that's not a real blunderbuss (or Donderbuchse for 'thunder pipe') ... but this one sure is !

 

[Onty]

Summary on Page 8 - 'Myths of the Blunderbuss’ by Melvin Flanagan (American Society of Arms Collectors, Volume No. 96, Sept 2007):
"The results of these tests prove that the blunderbuss barrel did scatter shot over a larger area than a gun barrel without any flare."

Thanks for interesting article. I didn't expect any other way. However, in early days of firearms, in close combat situation, like during castle siege, this could be advantage.

 

[gwpercle]

Don't believe everything you see on You-Tube .
They allow anybody to say and post anything ... real or imagined !
Gary

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I'm pretty sure the flared muzzle was for loading in a horse drawn coach or wagon. Probably also for use on a ship.

 

[Lefty38-55]

… sort of, but that wasn’t the only reason … try reading post #2, lol!

 

[Ugly Sauce]

"The results of these tests prove that the blunderbuss barrel did scatter shot over a larger area than a gun barrel without any flare."

But which one came first? (easier loading or wider pattern) The chicken or the egg?

 

[hawg]

My opine is they were flared to make loading in close quarters easier. Any wider pattern would depend on barrel length and the choke of the non flared gun. The blunderbuss is going to be a cylinder bore. The flare is after the fact.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

The blunderbuss shot pattern is going to have more to do with what's going on near the end of the bore/barrel and how it transitions to a trumpet than the trumpet itself.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Concur with Hawg. Quick loading and regiments had a couple for suppressing mutinies (intimidation factor when you're on the wrong side of the bore).

 

[Ugly Sauce]

My opine is they were flared to make loading in close quarters easier. Any wider pattern would depend on barrel length and the choke of the non flared gun. The blunderbuss is going to be a cylinder bore. The flare is after the fact.

Right, methinks the design was strictly/entirely meant for ease of loading. If it does throw a slightly bigger pattern, that is just a "side effect" or perhaps "serendipity", or "bonus"! The pattern out of any short barrel, large bore gun is going to have plenty of spread, regardless of whether the muzzle is flared or not.

 

[Acorn Mush]

Right, methinks the design was strictly/entirely meant for ease of loading. If it does throw a slightly bigger pattern, that is just a "side effect" or perhaps "serendipity", or "bonus"! The pattern out of any short barrel, large bore gun is going to have plenty of spread, regardless of whether the muzzle is flared or not.

I agree.