Not an American gun but need help identifying this little fowler

[eddillon]

I have owned this diminutive fowler for quite a while.  It weighs in at 3 lbs. 9.5 oz.  Overall length is 37 3/4 inches.  The octagon to round barrel measures exactly 24 inches with a .5625 smooth bore.  One of the interesting features of this half-stock is the ramrod.  In the picture it looks like the rod is much shorter than the barrel.  However, the wooden rod actually passes through th entire stock and terminates at the middle of the buttplate.  The lock has a roller on the frizzen spring.  The barrel has simplistic engraving of  a bell, cannon barrels and flag staffs.  There are traces of gold wash in the barrel engraving.  The only markings are those on the bottom of the barrel.  The letters LA and proof mark that looks to me like a viking helmet perched upon the 10 commandments tablets.  I believe it is was probably owned by the son of a nobleman.  Definitely not a toy for a poor boy.   I welcome any information and opinions.
You can see some photos at:

http://www.neconos.com/detailsfrench.htm

Ed Dillon

[Longknife]

Ed, That sure is a nice lookin' little piece. I can not definately  ID it but it sure has a "French" look to it.  Take a look here and see if you can find the proof mark...Ed

http://www.gunaccessory.com/Proof_Marks/proofmarks.htm

[G-Man]

Based on scaling from the barrel length, it looks to me like it has pretty much a full pull length - somewhere between 13 and 14 inches - so maybe not made for child and just a short fowler (?).

Neat little piece.

[eddillon]

Long Knife and Guy,
Thanks for your input.  Could not find the proofmark on the site link you posted.  The length of pull is 11 inches.
Ed

[G-Man]

Wow - my scaling was way off - that surely does put it down in the size range for a child.  Sorry for the error.

It is  a  neat little piece - I love to see these iron mounted ones.

Guy

[Mike Brooks]

French or belgian post 1800.

[eddillon]

I have added some photos of the proof mark with different light.  Hope that someone recognizes the mark.  Also added a photo of a barrel loop.  It is quite distnctive - IMHO.

http://www.neconos.com/detailsfrench.htm


Ed

[wormey]

Definitely french.  The buttplate and triggerguard are identical to many I have seen on french double flintlock shotguns.  The shape and style of stock is also french; qualithy workmanship.

[Longknife]

Ed,  go to TOTW and check out the French SXS fowler they have for sale.

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/partDetail.aspx?catId=12&subId=78&styleId=266&partNum=AAH-859

[eddillon]

Hi Longknife,
Thanks for the heads up.  Sure looks like a big brother to my single barrel.
Ed

[Longknife]

Ed, Maybe you could buy the SXS and re-unite the family!!!!!!!!!

[eddillon]

Big brother is rather pricey for the current  state of my discretionary fund balance.
Ed