The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural, built and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy.

This historic item has been on loan to the National Trust for Scotland and displayed at the Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre since 1996. It is now due for sale, and the Trust has been offered ‘first refusal’ to purchase. If the charity is unable to secure funds before April 2014, the gun will be returned to the owner for sale. The most likely scenario is that it will then be purchased by a collector overseas and removed from Scotland.

The blunderbuss was made c1670 by John Finch, a leading London firearms maker, and is a rare survivor of its type - a muzzle-loading firearm with a flintlock mechanism and dog lock. It is connected to Culloden battlefield by its inscription ‘Taken at the battle of CULLODEN 16 April 1746 by Captain John Goodenough with 18 balls in it’.

This particular blunderbuss would likely have made a good battle trophy for Capt. John Goodenough, who is known to have fought with the Government forces at Culloden in Blakeney’s 27th Foot Regiment. A blunderbuss would presumably have made a good battle trophy for Capt. John It is thought the gun was taken from a fallen officer after the battle.

The Trust will endeavour to secure half the purchase cost from a grant-maker with the other half dependent on the philanthropic income. This means we need support from people interested in supporting the National Trust for Scotland to help us raise the necessary funds to keep this nationally significant artefact in Scotland.

As one of only a small group of objects taken from the battlefield, the blunderbuss has powerful associations and provides a tangible link to the past. It is an item of national interest and key element of the collection at Culloden, providing an opportunity for visitors from both Scotland and across the world to view the Blunderbuss and learn more about Scotland’s heritage.

Please donate to keep this nationally significant artefact in Scotland.