AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: WElliott on April 26, 2020, 10:02:25 PM

Title: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: WElliott on April 26, 2020, 10:02:25 PM

Thanks to the sharp eye of Kenneth Orr, Matt Verdery and I were able to acquire the only known fowler made by Georgia’s great gunsmith Wiley G. Higgins. I would date it around 1835. Like most of Higgins’ work, it is unsigned, but for those who have studied his guns, there is no question but that he made this little gem. The condition is virtually “as new”.

(https://i.ibb.co/nbrvWkR/498-DC111-4-ECB-41-C9-BC84-C28-A900-E46-ED.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Y32Mrjb)

(https://i.ibb.co/D8stWWC/E1686-BB0-1-E65-416-D-B922-2490-E0212-C98.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k9kxBB8)

(https://i.ibb.co/5vRsMPz/3-D3-B0-F0-A-F20-B-42-CC-A1-B6-E37-DABBBC8-B6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NpyWVMk)

(https://i.ibb.co/s6J65xW/6-EDB390-B-2-C86-4-E7-C-9-A3-D-3-DD3-C2-DEBDE4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/rcfcb8d)

(https://i.ibb.co/S0XJ2bh/9-EAA9-A42-9-FCB-4869-A4-F7-1-DF09-F84-ECA6.jpg) (https://ibb.co/VDW3dR7)

(https://i.ibb.co/FnbxCT4/C85625-C6-4274-499-B-AF55-DEADFFA28782.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XVZ2MRx)

(https://i.ibb.co/yXwCCt6/D98463-D2-9-B30-445-B-9-A99-C256534-B1-D6-C.jpg) (https://ibb.co/vH7WWp3)

(https://i.ibb.co/GH5zjCt/590-ADED7-15-F0-46-E2-AB7-C-E02-D9617-FDA7.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fDxj7rn)

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: sqrldog on April 26, 2020, 10:29:39 PM

Thanks for sharing. That is super nice. He really went his own way with his gun building. 

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Robert Wolfe on April 26, 2020, 11:00:53 PM

What a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing. He was certainly talented.

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: realtorone on April 27, 2020, 01:55:19 AM

Super nice,you two are very lucky owners

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: mr. no gold on April 27, 2020, 02:53:01 AM

A beautiful fowling gun, to be sure! Congratualtions on finding the rarest of the rare, and still in superlative condition. Wow!!
Thank you for showing it around.
Dick

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Sequatchie Rifle on April 27, 2020, 06:57:40 AM

Wow!

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: BOB HILL on April 27, 2020, 03:20:49 PM

Great find. Wayne. Beautiful.Thanks for sharing with us.
Bob

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Marcruger on April 27, 2020, 04:54:28 PM

What a looker.  I am guessing the maker was an immigrant from England?   

I love that thumbpiece.  Never seen one like it. 

I sure hope that one day someone does a Bill Ivey grade book on GA and SC longrifles and fowlers like the NC Schools of Longrifles book. 

God Bless,   Marc

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: WESTbury on April 27, 2020, 04:59:12 PM

That is an outstanding fowler, congratulations and thanks for posting the photos.

Perhaps Ken Orr could rent out his "sharp eye" as a service to members of this forum. :)

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Mike Brooks on April 27, 2020, 05:37:02 PM

Best WH gun I have
 ever seen.

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: mountainad82 on April 27, 2020, 06:26:16 PM

Wayne,
That is outstanding! Thank you for sharing it with us. I wonder how many more unidentified Higgins pieces are still out there to be found?

-Adam Wright

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Fullstock longrifle on April 28, 2020, 01:43:47 AM

Congratulations Wayne, that’s a very nice fowler.

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Dennis Glazener on April 28, 2020, 02:12:48 AM

Glad you and Matt were the recipients of Keen eyed Ken :)
Dennis

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: wildcatter on April 28, 2020, 04:15:44 AM

Thanks for sharing Wayne. What a rifle!!

Matt

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: WElliott on April 28, 2020, 06:32:58 AM

Adam Wright, every time I think I have a grasp on what Wiley Higgins did, a new surprise turns up. I stand amazed at what he did in frontier Georgia.  Simply a creative genius. 

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: bama on May 02, 2020, 02:06:37 AM

Another fabulous piece and in a very good home. Congrats guys

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: Rajin cajun on May 02, 2020, 03:37:29 AM

Have to agree with Jim. Another great Southern treasure. And most definitely in good hands , congrats Wayne and Matt.     Bob

Title: Re: Wiley Higgins fowler
Post by: old george on May 07, 2020, 03:51:01 AM

That's really a gorgeous piece.

george