AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: rlcurtis on November 28, 2023, 12:58:16 AM

Title: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: rlcurtis on November 28, 2023, 12:58:16 AM

I have never owned a flintlock.  Recently purchased at auction this gun.  Based on my novice research, it appears to be a early fowler from Lancaster PA.  It is refinished stock, 43 3/4 inch barrel, Octogon to round, straight rifled, and side plate looks Dickert ish.   Reportedly has german silver on wrist of stock.   Any input appreciated.
(https://i.ibb.co/XkL6tDG/IMG-0196.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Cs84Q6S)

(https://i.ibb.co/HFGxSKX/IMG-0197.jpg) (https://ibb.co/8KPdCmX)

(https://i.ibb.co/9VbQtwt/IMG-0198.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3Mpgzfz)

(https://i.ibb.co/9vZ4VD8/IMG-0200.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yR4kY9f)

(https://i.ibb.co/WWJJbcB/IMG-0201.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fYwwhCr)

(https://i.ibb.co/LJW1FXF/IMG-0202.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qWfpS3S)

(https://i.ibb.co/7jPY0jz/IMG-0204.jpg) (https://ibb.co/gmNjcm7)

(https://i.ibb.co/yf25gDX/IMG-0205.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TvyRPZk)

(https://i.ibb.co/1XKVR2w/IMG-0208.jpg) (https://ibb.co/09ZNYJd)

(https://i.ibb.co/449T7Vs/IMG-0210.jpg) (https://ibb.co/KVRqXrN)

(https://i.ibb.co/fpBn94B/IMG-0211.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LtbJrnb)

(https://i.ibb.co/8c478wr/IMG-0212.jpg) (https://ibb.co/C2sH0yb)

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: smart dog on November 28, 2023, 01:08:30 AM

Hi,
What a fabulous gun!  I am sure there are folks here who will shed a lot of light on it.  It looks to use imported English butt plate and trigger guard.  My suspicion is the trigger guard was not engraved by the same person who did the butt plate. Nice find and thank you for sharing it.

dave

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Tanselman on November 28, 2023, 01:52:50 AM

The tang carving reminds me of John Noll's work... and the outline of the butt somewhat as well.

That diamond pattern in the stock behind the rear pipe seems to suggest the forestock may have been replaced and a butt joint  hidden by the "pile" of [veneer?] diamonds.

Shelby Gallien

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: rlcurtis on November 28, 2023, 02:59:07 AM

Wow !, gentlemen.   Thank you for the input so far.   What do you think about this Shumway writeup ?
(https://i.ibb.co/sqnGJR7/IMG-0213.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2dxQYhJ)

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: DaveM on November 28, 2023, 04:03:27 AM

Congratulations, that looks like a beauty! You may be on the right track with it being made in Womelsdorf. But look into Leonard Reedy, it could be his work rather than Fichthorn. Each had a particular style to the carving behind the barrel tang - specifically, the direction that the scrolls roll off of the design.

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: rlcurtis on November 28, 2023, 03:07:17 PM

DaveM,  THANK YOU for your guidance !    I found the post here dated April 10, 2023 where Henry Bishop had Leonard Reedy photos posted and provided commentary of a Morphy auction gun and identified it as a Reedy.   His commentary gave me some confidence that what i have is a Reedy gun since the carving at the barrel tang vine finial rolls off to the left, whereas Fichthorn Jr's to the right.    I have now found many photos of other Reedy guns as well as in Kindig's book that shows the same.   Kindig's write up says he varied his carvings very little on his guns after he settled on a pattern.

Thanks again !

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster Leonard Reedy
Post by: rlcurtis on November 28, 2023, 09:19:54 PM

Yes,  looks like it .....see attached page from Grinslade book on Flintlock Fowlers of a Leonard Reedy fowler....same butt plate and trigger guard. Oct to round barrel.
(https://i.ibb.co/KjwyQxJ/IMG-0217.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BVNs729)

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Mike Brooks on November 28, 2023, 10:54:55 PM

Looks to be the same gun.

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Bigmon on November 29, 2023, 12:14:26 AM

Is that barrel rifled?  Or just some kind of decorative work at the muzzle???

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: rlcurtis on November 29, 2023, 12:37:52 AM

straight rifled.

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Buck on November 29, 2023, 01:10:42 AM

I thought Reedy - nice fowler. If this is your first one, your off to a pretty good start - congratulations.

Buck

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Avlrc on November 29, 2023, 03:10:03 AM

WOW, the Gun Gods sure smiled on you. Congratulations.

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: JTR on November 29, 2023, 03:49:37 AM

Wow! What a lucky guy!
Congratulations on a great score!
John

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: rlcurtis on November 29, 2023, 08:24:51 PM

Gentlemen,  thank you so much.   The kind replies speaks volumes to a newcomer.  It shows the courteous character of this group's members.  Thanks again.

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: ScottH on November 30, 2023, 01:49:41 AM

Very Nice gun in remarkable condition.

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Bigmon on November 30, 2023, 01:55:41 AM

That is one great piece, wonderful find.
If it is straight "rifled" why are we calling it a fowler?

Title: Re: identity of fowler perhaps Lancaster
Post by: Mike Brooks on November 30, 2023, 03:34:11 AM

Straight rifling was typical for fowling guns. I had a Durrs Egg that was straight rifled.