Ware & Morse Worcester MA Fowler Muzzle Loading Percussion Shotgun

[WittWorldWide]

Appears to be a 12g. Percussion Lock Shotgun / "Fowler" Marked "Ware & Morse" "Worcester" at breech on barrel, with "Benedict & Rob Warranted" on Lock Plate. Lock and Trigger functional, with some small cracks and chips, oxidation you'd expect to see from a gun of this age. Overall it appears to be 100% Complete, and generally clean and fairly attractive overall patina regardless of the obvious signs of age...  I have been told that the Hammer could possibly be an old replacement, although finish, oxidation, and function seem to match well...

As best I've found Ware & Morse worked together from about 1833 to 1845 ?? Any better idea on Age & Value ??  When did Ware & Morse Split ?

[JTR]

As for the originality of the hammer,,, given that the hammer of a percussion gun needs to strike the end of the nipple to pop the percussion cap, and that this hammer misses the nipple all together, leaves no doubt that the hammer is a replacement.
As such, given the overall condition and that it won't shoot, value won't be much, maybe a couple hundred bucks.
John