The Blunderbuss Used for the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise

Used in the box office big screen smash hit series, “Pirates of the Caribbean,”  starring Hollywood icon Johnny Depp as the swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow, the one-of-a-kind brass double-barreled flintlock, made from scratch, was custom built by a U.S. gunsmith, whose talent is on full display with this particular firearm that is an historically correct replica of blunderbusses originally built in the 1700-1800 time period. It has 1-inch internal diameter flared brass barrels with blade front sight with thimble-held wood ramrod underneath.  The bores have a mirror finish. The firearm features a spring swivel mount bayonet at the muzzle, which is retained by a sliding catch at the rear. Double locks with chamfered plates and slight rebate to tail. Integral rounded pan, bridled roller frizzen. The sideplates have a tastefully engraved pattern with the word “Twigg”  engraved on each sideplate. Sideplate screw heads show light engraving pattern as well. The double-trigger pistol has a brass trigger guard that is lightly engraved with a scroll pattern that highlights the straight walnut stock with brass buttplate that extends toward the tang. The word “London” has been engraved on the top of each barrel near the breech. On the tang is an inletted brass crestplate.  The blunderbuss weighs 11 pounds unloaded. The firearm carries a pleasant patina overall. The European-style stock retains most of its original finish and the firearm appears to be mechanically fine. Its serial number is POC3 (acronym for Pirates of the Caribbean). The blunderbuss comes with an extra set of locks. (Aumann strongly recommends that the winning bidder have the firearm examined by a qualified gunsmith if the buyer plans on firing the gun.)

The provenance for this firearm is quite significant, as it was rented from Independent Studio Services (ISS), which is the largest prop house in the United States and works with various Hollywood film studios as a rental facility for all types of firearms and assorted movie props. It acquired numerous firearms props for its inventory from the one-time legendary LA-based Stembridge Gun Works prop house.

Provenance that will be included in the sale of the blunderbuss includes the following:

*On ISS letterhead a rental sheet (dated 2014) listing the blunderbuss for use in “Pirates of the Caribbean;

*A “Prop Valuation & Loss of Use Issues” document

*A letter from the POC Master Armorer Harry Lu that in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, the blunderbuss was operated and fired by characters Cotton (actor David Bailie) and Marty (actor Martin Klebba)

The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise (five movies total up to this point in time), produced by Disney, is one of the most popular movie series in the history of movie making, generating more than $4.5 billion in revenue worldwide.

The five movies appeared in theaters with worldwide distribution from 2003-2017, and discussions are currently being held to produce a sixth movie in the series.

Award-winning movie producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been involved in the movie series, which was launched in 2003 with the Pirates of the Caribbean “Curse of the Black Beard.” Following its successful launch, the movie series extended over the next 14 years and included the following:

“Dead Man’s Chest” (2006)

“At World’s End” (2007)

“On Stranger Tides” (2011)

“Dead Men Tell No Tales” (2017)

The blunderbuss at auction was used in the third movie in the series, “On Stranger Tides,” which grossed more than $1 billion in ticket sales.  It was actually fired on the movie set by an actor in the “crow’s nest,” amidst the sailing mast of a ship in the movie.

The consignor also notes that the same blunderbuss was used in a TV series titled “Washington Spies” and Fox’s dark comedy “The Mick.”  See photos for some onscreen stills, photos are screenshots of this exact blunderbuss used on set.

Don’t miss this opportunity to add a centerpiece of Hollywood history to your firearms collection. The blunderbuss, quite literally, is like holding history in your hands.