This provincial fowling gun was made third quarter of the 18th century By Abraham Elston of Doncaster, Yorkshire, England.
Abraham Elston, son of Thomas Elston (christened January 8, 1738) was apprenticed to Benjamin Elston, gunsmith of Doncaster, most certainly a relative and probably his uncle in the year 1746.
The barrel, engraved "Doncaster" has what appears to very much resemble London proof and view marks. It also has the maker's mark of Benjamin Elston. Apparently, Abraham continued to use Benjamin's mark as evidenced by some later pieces. The gun is set up as a take-down. By pulling the rear most barrel wedge, the barrel can be removed for cleaning by leaving most of the wood protected around it except for the breech area. The 38 7/16" barrel has been cut approximately 1 " or so, most likely from a ding to the muzzle. There is a small amount of flare remaining.
The length of pull on this gun is 13 1/8". The butt stock architecture is wonderful. All wrought iron mounted, there is no side plate but two engraved bolt washers. There is no engraving on the butt plate but it's appears that it may have had engraving at one time. A small flower adorns the trigger bow. The breech tang is engraved as well.
The flat, beveled lock is marked "ELSTON" and is in good working order.
The ramrod pipes are pinned but the pins do not go thru to the other side.
Both the trigger guard and butt plate are fastened by means of hidden hooks underneath as are many of the finer pieces of the period.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
