Please comment before I pull the trigger

[jruff5585]

I've been in the market for a mid 1700's American fowler. I just came across this one from a guy I have bought from before.

C1760 New England cherry stocked flintlock long fowler. 47-5/8" barrel of about .56 caliber bore, or 28 gauge. This gun has a wonderful patina overall with dusty crevices. The barrel has an octagon breech section with tastefully sculpted flats, with one flat that continues down the length of the barrel, ending just forward of the front sight. Early British trade lock marked on the inside "I.STOKES". The flintlock configuration is possibly original, the lock having the correct hammer and frizzen spring finial, and a well-worn pan. The barrel has a well-worn flash hole that may be been rebushed during the period. All is dusty with an old patina. No barrel proof, suggesting American manufacture of the barrel. Attractive open work brass sideplate, plain brass ramrod pipes, triggerguard, and 3-step buttplate are all plainly and gracefully formed American-made pieces. Metal parts have a natural patina overall with minimal pitting in the barrel breech area. Large butt with early long wrist flutes balance the long barrel perfectly about 1 inch behind the rear projection of the ramrod ferule. Stock is nicely border carved with "tail" around rear of lock and sideplate, with "fan" carving around the early flared barrel tang. The wood has a nice natural patina with expected light handling marks, a very old chip at right side of butt toe, hairline crack to left of barrel tang, and several minor diagonal cracks in forearm edges, associated with a couple minor chips. Early style curled trigger, interesting period soldered repair to front of triggerguard bow, and a handmade period forearm cap. Even the hickory ramrod is antique, possibly original, having a rich patina and shadows from the ramrod pipes.

[smart dog]

Hi,
Oh, what a wonderful gun! Would that it was early but I. Stokes likely means John Stokes, gun lock maker in Wednesbury (next to Birmingham, UK) in 1854 (Bailey and Nie "English Gunmakers").  He certainly could have worked much earlier in the 19th century but not in the 18th.  Round faced trade locks were made well into the 19th century. Joe Puleo may need to chime in on this gun.

dave   

[JV Puleo]

This is just my opinion but I'd place that as a fairly low quality English-made export fowler...and, as such, it would have to date after 1794 when the embargo on arms shipments to the US was lifted. The wooden ramrod, full stock and lack of a bayonet fitting are exactly as the earliest Privy Council licenses to export described what was allowed.

Lack of proof is meaningless...

[jruff5585]

OK brain @$#%. I cannot believe I did not do this right off the bat. You guys are right on money. Der
Nuue Stockle has 17 Stokes listed the earliest is Daniel 1795, 5 John Stokes, 4 from England one from Baltimore the earliest is 1838. I knew the price was to goo to be true. Back to my original plan
 https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/139704841_a-documented-new-england-club-butt-fowler-ex-george-neumann-collection

[Daryl]

Noe THAT appears to be a nice early fowler.

[rich pierce]

OK brain @$#%. I cannot believe I did not do this right off the bat. You guys are right on money. Der
Nuue Stockle has 17 Stokes listed the earliest is Daniel 1795, 5 John Stokes, 4 from England one from Baltimore the earliest is 1838. I knew the price was to goo to be true. Back to my original plan
 https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/139704841_a-documented-new-england-club-butt-fowler-ex-george-neumann-collection

Let’s “go halfies” on it. Every year we switch care-taker role.

[jruff5585]

Rich just put my bid in, just let me know when to send the bill for half on the 13th

[rich pierce]

Rich just put my bid in, just let me know when to send the bill for half on the 13th

Not sure I can cover half! Guess I shoulda told you that first!

[Avlrc]

I see that Club Butt went for 22 grand.  The Hudson Valley Fowler was a good deal, at 2 grand.