Fowler ID

[kuriouskeepsakes]

I just purchased an older fowler. There are no markings that I could find. There is some unique hardware. I'm trying to decide if I should completely strip it, re-blue, refinish, and make it look new; or just do enough restoration to prevent any more deterioration and leave it rustic. (Or, maybe just sell it as a wall hanger.) Any help with where it was made, when, and by whom would make my decision easier and would be greatly appreciated. (One thing that stood out was the five sided post that holds the hammer, I don't know if that means anything or not.)

 

[Grenadier1758]

First step is to conserve it. Refinish and restore to like new condition will diminish the value. That's a basic observation when evaluating any antique item.

One observation I have made is that it may have been a full stock gun. Are there any indications of barrel underlugs that have been removed to pin the stock to the barrel? The entry thimble is quite artistic and time was spent in the building of the gun. It has a chambered breech with the snail for the percussion nipple.

You have some unique features on your fowler. Better to spend some time to find out a lot more about who made it.

 

[kuriouskeepsakes]

First step is to conserve it. Refinish and restore to like new condition will diminish the value. That's a basic observation when evaluating any antique item.

That's my internal debate. I wouldn't refinish a rare/historic/valuable item. On the other hand, if it has limited collector value, it may be more valuable being restored to "new" condition.

With no markings, I don't have enough info or knowledge to make that decision. That's why I was hoping to get more info.

Thanks for your comments, everything helps.

 

[Grenadier1758]

By taking it apart to conserve it, you may find more markings and other information to identify it.

 

[GANGGREEN]

Someone here will have some clues. I'm sure you did well with it, but I share your curiosity about whether it's worth restoring to new and shooting it or trying to maintain its value and find someone who will appreciate it.

 

[kuriouskeepsakes]

By taking it apart to conserve it, you may find more markings and other information to identify it.

I've removed the barrel, no markings. The screw holding the lock on isn't budging. I haven't tried to force it on account of damaging it.

 

[Eterry]

I would clean it up, but restoring it will ruin any collector value it has. What bore size and length is the barrel?

 

[kuriouskeepsakes]

I would clean it up, but restoring it will ruin any collector value it has. What bore size and length is the barrel?

34 inch barrel, .55 bore.

 

[Feltwad]

Just a standard cosmetic restoration with little restoration it would make a shooter always remember never take restoration to far a gun that is 150 years old should look its age , It has at some time been full stocked and it is Belgian made.
Feltwad

 

[rich pierce]

Agree with Feltwad. Not a lot of collector value. If you can unbreech it to check the bore you’d have an idea whether it’s worth restoring to shooting condition.

 

[Eterry]

Its amazing the difference a big screen makes, I was at work and on smartphone, now on the big screen its a tiger of a different stripe. It might make a nice shooter if the bore and breech are sound.

 

[Eterry]

34 inch barrel, .55 bore.

Probably started life as a 28 gauge.

 

[muzzlecap]

I agree that it started life as a full stocked. I would do a good cleaning of the barrel to remove old surface grime and then take a magnifying glass and carefully look for markings on the barrel that might show after a cleaning.

 

[toot]

it took 150 yrs to get it to that point. keep it in that condition.