American Percusion Fowler

[gspragge]

Greetings everyone, I am new to this forum and I hope to show a worthwhile piece for discusion. I am in
Canada so other than what I can find on the web which is limited I'm hoping to learn more here.
While I have had many firearms in my ast there have been few muzzle loaders and those were many
years ago and of British Military origin.
I just obtained this American fowler two days ago and it's a completey new area of interest.
The over all length is 79 3/4" with a 64" barrel of just over 1/2" , 20 gauge?. There are no markings
and it was still loaded from perhaps the 1880s judging by the newspaper wadding. Any information
about it as to use and so on is most welcome. It has a few issues such as improper screws to be corrected and the
lock internals are poor. Wether it used to be flint and converted I have no idea. I hope that
it is at least interesting. Images as found, it's cleaner now.

 

[2 shots]

welcome . very cool piece, yes that lock was a flintlock . 20 ga. is .62 cal .620 bore ,1/2 inch is .50 cal. , 54 cal is 28 gauge. [.540]

 

[Tumbledown]

Definately looks like a New England gun, a bit of French influence in the drop of the maple stock, with an English style buttplate and trigger guard. Made into a half stock at some point. Nice find!

A good intro to American hunting guns can be found HERE.

 

[gspragge]

Thankyou ; The lock itself on the inside is a bit of a mess as it works in place
but removed the main spring will fall out. I would have to have a proffesional
look at it. The spring itself might not be the original so it's had a bit of abuse in the
latter part of it's life. The ram rod is just a fitted dowel I believe, would a metal rod be
more correct if I can find one long enough? Any rough guesses as to age ?
Here are some images along the barrel. The rail (if that is the correct term) starts
at the fore end and is in two sections.
Gordon

 

[Tumbledown]

Thankyou ; The lock itself on the inside is a bit of a mess as it works in place
but removed the main spring will fall out. I would have to have a proffesional
look at it. The spring itself might not be the original so it's had a bit of abuse in the
latter part of it's life. The ram rod is just a fitted dowel I believe, would a metal rod be
more correct if I can find one long enough? Any rough guesses as to age ?
Here are some images along the barrel. The rail (if that is the correct term) starts
at the fore end and is in two sections.
Gordon

The piece under the barrel is the rib.

Age? I'd guess 1750-1760, maybe a little later. Metal rammers were pretty much a military thing, a wood rod with a larger tip would be appropriate.

 

[PathfinderNC]

That’s a very nice fowling piece- and you saved the load which is great!
These are so long in the barrel!
I understand that for loading purposes the man would often carry a hole in order to put the butt down into.

 

[Rudyard]

The piece under the barrel is the rib.

Age? I'd guess 1750-1760, maybe a little later. Metal rammers were pretty much a military thing, a wood rod with a larger tip would be appropriate.

Going on the ex flint lock its more Continental Europe style doubt that early but such a long barrel is unuseual in any age. are their any proof marks visible the side plate looks US style but could just be made for that market . There dosnt seem to much in the way of Canadian Makers as such. Most survivor's had Retailers names mostly . Interesting choose what .
Rudyard

 

[Tumbledown]

Going on the ex flint lock its more Continental Europe style doubt that early but such a long barrel is unuseual in any age. are their any proof marks visible the side plate looks US style but could just be made for that market . There dosnt seem to much in the way of Canadian Makers as such. Most survivor's had Retailers names mostly . Interesting choose what .
Rudyard

Many New England fowlers were built from a mix of either new or recycled parts from various countries. Some examples of New England guns with similar locks:

 

[Rudyard]

Many New England fowlers were built from a mix of either new or recycled parts from various countries. Some examples of New England guns with similar locks:View attachment 373711View attachment 373712View attachment 373713

Many New England fowlers were built from a mix of either new or recycled parts from various countries. Some examples of New England guns with similar locks:View attachment 373711View attachment 373712View attachment 373713

For some probably economic reason New England Militia Muskets usually resemble sporting guns just enough of militia to ' Pass muster' & I expect the long fowlers where on the same economic thinking the example you show evidently a bit more up market as to mounts .The curious thing is the preference for long barrels could hardly be handy for flying birds just long careful pot filling .The first Rifle I made had a N E Militia lock stamped' London' no pan bridle & later I got a Birmingham made Militia barrel so had it fine bored & stocked it for UK Rondesvous & events of that kind .
Regards Rudyard

 

[Blackpowderart]

Holy long gun!