Serpentine Butt Plate Tang

[Loyer]

I have never been able to identify this old musket or fowler. It has a banana lock plate so I know it is very old but the markings on that plate cannot be read.
The oddest thing about the gun is the unusual serpentine butt plate tang. No barrel stamps readable. Also the barrel mounting screw comes from the bottom.
I have read suggestions this may be a Dutch or French feature. Gun is 59 inches overall length and about .79" caliber.

Anyone have an idea what this really is ?

 

[64Springer]

I'm going with Trade Gun based upon that overly bowed trigger guard and tang screw coming in from the bottom.

How wide is the breech at the tang?

 

[Loyer]

1.34" at the breach.

 

[64Springer]

She's a monster.

 

[PathfinderNC]

That’s so cool!

 

[rich pierce]

Dutch seems most likely. I expect the barrel was cut back at some point. What does the sideplate look like? I’d like to see more and PM you but maybe you’re not set up for messaging.

 

[Loyer]

No side plate, just two bolt heads on wood.
I think I revised my message choices ?????

 

[Conquerordie]

Feels Dutch to me too. Probably within the 1st decade of the 18th century.

 

[Loyer]

Metal is rough; stock has had work done on it and then hidden under plastic coated (??). There is an inscription on the butt that I am very leery of, can't believe it because the wear just doesn't seem right "Perth Feb 1744".

 

[rich pierce]

Looks like it may have been stocked here from Dutch parts, possibly in cherry.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Serpentine buttplates come from early French pattern books. The one on this gun is a very generic and plain style of that form. I also think this may be Dutch/lowland German

 

[florkinliege]

Can we get a good image of the breech tang carving and the triggerguard finial?

 

[Loyer]

Tang looks to have been filed. here are the photos.

 

[Sam squanch]

Probably a colonial Fowler made from stray parts.

 

[Loyer]

Realizing the plastic coat wasn't original, I decided to remove it to see what wood was underneath. I think Rich Pierce was correct about the wood being cherry unless the European makers used a similar wood (???).

No markings on the inside of the lock but wood had some major repairs and has seen some wear.

By "colonial" do you mean European or American ?

 

[florkinliege]

thanks for the additional images. I'd say Rich P nailed it if that is indeed cherry, great restock of an early ca. 1700ish gun, possibly Dutch or less likely English in North America.

 

[BillKilgore]

It looks like it has had a lot of hard mileage.

 

[Loyer]

Just 300 plus years !

 

[PathfinderNC]

What a terrific long gun. It looks to be in fine shape and in good hands.
The lock mechanism looks so simple and basic. Simple is good

 

[TDM]

It really is a fine old Fowler, great lines and I love the butt plate.