Help with identifying flintlock rifle

MattF · Sep 9, 2024

Hello-
I recently acquired this antique flintlock after my Grandma's passing and need some help with identification. The length is 55.5" and I'm not sure the caliber size. There are a few different markings, but I haven't been able to find anything that matches after my online searches. I was able to find some Hudson Valley fowler rifles that looked somewhat similar, but I'm not sure. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

Conquerordie · Sep 11, 2024

Can we see a picture of the butt plate? To me it looks to have had beautiful lines. I think it might be English, but it's been altered to halfstock at some point in its use. The lock seems to be missing it's sliding lock mechanism which would have been in that groove behind the hammer. Love the furniture.

rich pierce · Sep 11, 2024

Ok, cool gun! It’s not a rifle. It was likely a full-stocked fowler probably made in Europe around 1760-70 plus or minus. The sliding safety feature is usually found on English guns. The architecture looks like it could be an English gun but I’m not sure about the furniture. Hopefully others will chime in soon. But I dunno. Could be a parts gun.

2 shots · Sep 11, 2024

hopefully Mr. Person will be along to answer your question. if it was cut back they did a nice job with the pewter forearm tip.

Capt. Jas. · Sep 11, 2024

English. The furniture is much older than the stocking/carving, hooked breech system and lock.
I would like to see the top return on the buttplate as well as more shots of the metal at the ramrod entry. The barrel bears the proof and view from the London Company and what appears to be the mark of John Hall, son of John and is probably about early 1740s. The wrist escutcheon could be as late as 1730s/40s
Can anyone make out the name on the lock?

MattF · Sep 11, 2024

This is great information, thank you! I'm happy to send more pics if needed

PathfinderNC · Sep 11, 2024

Very cool. I was surprised to see that the early lock has a “water-proof” pan.
I would bet also that the original full stock had been cut down. I imagine this was very much a gentleman’s Fowler.

Capt. Jas. · Sep 12, 2024

There were plenty of early half stocks in the 1720-1740s time frame and the metal entry with pipes attached to the barrel the way they are in this piece was the standard of half stock construction then prior to using a rib. I think this was a gun made about 1740 using a much earlier but ornate side plate and trigger guard. The other hardware including the buttplate, lock, barrel and wrist escutcheon fit 1740 as well. As far as the water drain lock, there is another gun by Pearman from the same period with an almost similar lock having the sliding safety and water drain pan.

dave_person · Sep 12, 2024

Hi,
What James wrote. Nice early 18th century English gun.

dave

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