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Flintlock Blunderbuss

dated Mauludi era 1222/1793–94 CE
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 379
This gun was made in Seringapatam, the capital of Tipu Sultan (1750–1799), the ruler of Mysore. Tipu's armories employed many European craftsmen, and his firearms reflect the most up to date technology. As the self-styled "tiger of Mysore," Tipu was preoccupied with tiger imagery. On this gun, tigers prance or hunt on the magnificently damascened barrel; the cock of the flintlock is fashioned as a tiger head; and the silver mount is stamped with stylized tiger-stripe marks. Following the storming of Seringapatam by the British on May 4, 1799, during which Tipu was killed, this gun and many other weapons were taken to Europe as booty.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Flintlock Blunderbuss
  • Date: dated Mauludi era 1222/1793–94 CE
  • Geography: Seringapatam
  • Culture: Indian, Seringapatam
  • Medium: Steel, wood, gold, silver
  • Dimensions: L. 37 1/2 in. (95.3 cm); L. of barrel 21 1/8 in. (53.8 cm); Cal. 1.75 (53.8 cm) Wt. 6 lb. 4 oz. (2831 g)

  • Classification: Firearms
  • Credit Line: Bequest of George C. Stone, 1935
  • Object Number: 36.25.2227
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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