AmericanLongRifles Forums
General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: Barry Myers on August 19, 2022, 06:08:09 PM
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I recently acquired a beat up English fowler, single barrel, converted badly to percussion. I thought that perhaps knowing who may have made it would made it more interesting to continue the rescue.
I say badly converted as the drum was arc welded to the breech plug and barrel after installation. I assume the threads were exceptional or too hard to create. Then, in the location where the nipple was to be installed, a grease fitting is located. Perhaps the restorer know of a different method of ignition.
If I can get the breech plug removed, I will probably replace it. It is interesting as it has been drilled far back toward the breech. The drum is perhaps a 1/4" forward of the back of the breech.
Anyway, is there a way to tell from the meager markings that might spark the makers name/time frame from which this gun has traveled? Maybe a similar lock plate? I haven't the imagination to place a name into the faint scratches where I think the maker's/lock maker's name would be.
Just a thought.
(https://i.ibb.co/V2XtmH6/IMG-4810.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6g6mBvQ)
(https://i.ibb.co/1M0vdhr/IMG-4811.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bF6W2qs)
(https://i.ibb.co/42zRS3g/IMG-4812.jpg) (https://ibb.co/zFpV2DH)
(https://i.ibb.co/9nHNwDc/IMG-4813.jpg) (https://ibb.co/XXxbyQj)
(https://i.ibb.co/wRdRt6B/IMG-4814.jpg) (https://ibb.co/yXNX2sd)
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Looks like a wall hanger in the truest sense of the word. Can't believe the breech is salvageable.
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Mark, I agree that it is a wall hanger, the breech plug, if I can't get it out will have the drum ground off and a touch hole made. The lock would have to be replaced to make a good wall hanger.
The proof marks are the standard Birmingham proof marks with the lower mark not stamped level so that the crown didn't make the impression.
I was wondering about the four little squares stamp forward on the barrel and the "ot" near the proofs.
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Post 1813 Birmingham barrel proofs. "Twisted" iron, (I'm guessing) barrel.
Mike Brooks and Joe Puelo know more about these old fowlers than most anybody, perhaps they will weigh in.
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Probably 1820, more or less. Otherwise, not a clue.
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Mr. Brooks, how about the 4 little squares. Might it be a cross/x?
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Probably something to do with the barrel maker or filer.
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What a mess. I agree with Mike. Probably around 1820. That location of the drum is not uncommon. I have a NE percussion rifle with the drum very near the rear of the barrel. The fact is, original breech plugs were often pretty shallow, about half the depth generally recommended today. If I were going to get that plug out I'd put it in my lathe and bore it out, very carefully. There's a good chance you could remove most of the plug without damaging the threads – at least not more than they are already damaged.
It looks as if it may have been a pretty good fowler, with gold bands at the breech and that little square indentation on the breech probably held a gold poincoin with the name of the maker on it.
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It’s a wall hanger. If it was something rare or special then remarkable efforts could restore it.