Author Topic: American cherry Stocked Musket (Read 3972 times)

Avlrc · « **on:** January 26, 2021, 08:59:04 PM »

A couple days ago, when Debnal posted a well worn butt plate, I posted the butt plate from this old gun. Here is some more photos of the whole gun.

This old gun was carried by a freedom fighter a few hundred years ago, I am thankful it survived and hope showing it somehow gives a tribute to the man who carried it so long ago.

Overall length 68.5 inches, Barrel round, 52 inches long & tapered the whole way, down to about 11/16 inch at the muzzle. Front sight & bayonet lug. Lock plate 6 7/8 inch long. Cherry stocked with old red finish, probably applied within the last 50 years, not sure. Weight just a little over ten pounds. The last caretaker indicated that the gun originally came out of Connecticut.

Bigmon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2021, 09:01:13 PM »

Wow!! Could that be a Rev War piece? Isn't that a bayonet lug ahead of the front sight? That is a fine looking pc.

Eric Kettenburg · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2021, 09:49:28 PM »

Ooh that's a great one. Love it.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #3 on:** January 26, 2021, 10:04:38 PM »

Nifty! The t-guard appears to be a recycled Carolina gun guard

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #4 on:** January 26, 2021, 10:06:02 PM »

We all need to build more stuff like this.

WESTbury · « **Reply #5 on:** January 26, 2021, 10:47:00 PM »

Does not get much better or "untouched" than that. Great lines for an old New England fowler and thank you for letting us appreciated it.

On second thought, I'm old, fowl, and out of Connecticut so I'm the perfect match and it would look great on my wall!

mr. no gold · « **Reply #6 on:** January 26, 2021, 11:12:19 PM »

Mark, great find! Thank you for showing it here for us to 'oh and ah' at. Really a fine colonial fowler. Agree with Mike, the t'guard look like a Type G guard. I especially like the rose head nails in the butt plate. This is probably the sleekest long fowler I have seen. Like an Ohio buggy whip with that extra long barrel. Ramrod is pretty nifty too. Thanks again.
Dick

vanu · « **Reply #7 on:** January 27, 2021, 02:07:17 AM »

Absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing the high resolution photos as well.

Bruce

debnal · « **Reply #8 on:** January 27, 2021, 03:52:06 AM »

Great fowler! Love it.
Al

Avlrc · « **Reply #9 on:** January 27, 2021, 07:56:46 PM »

Thanks for all the replies.

Notice the wear on the frizzen spring.

Levy · « **Reply #10 on:** January 27, 2021, 07:59:35 PM »

Same opinion as Mike Brooks on the trigger guard. James Levy

Hungry Horse · « **Reply #11 on:** January 27, 2021, 08:22:21 PM »

This appears to be an Indian trade gun, with a branded stock. It obviously was converted to a military musket by the addition of a bayonet lug. The question if which side of the conflict did the wonderful relic fight for?

Hungry Horse

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #12 on:** January 28, 2021, 12:19:25 AM »

Quote from: Hungry Horse on January 27, 2021, 08:22:21 PM

This appears to be an Indian trade gun, with a branded stock. It obviously was converted to a military musket by the addition of a bayonet lug. The question if which side of the conflict did the wonderful relic fight for?

Hungry Horse

It's a New England fowling gun. Refer to Grinslade's book. Very specific style associated to that area.

jdm · « **Reply #13 on:** January 28, 2021, 12:46:09 AM »

Thats great! It really speaks history. Thank you for showing it here.

Hungry Horse · « **Reply #14 on:** January 28, 2021, 08:20:13 PM »

The sheet metal furniture, and the ID (Indian Department) branding makes me stick to my assumption that this is a treaty gun, or a gift to an influential chief.

Hungry Horse

Avlrc · « **Reply #15 on:** January 28, 2021, 11:39:24 PM »

Quote from: Hungry Horse on January 28, 2021, 08:20:13 PM

The sheet metal furniture, and the ID (Indian Department) branding makes me stick to my assumption that this is a treaty gun, or a gift to an influential chief.

Hungry Horse

I figured it was a New England Fowler with a bayonet lug added for the Revolution , I thought I D was the initials of the patriot who carried it. I even think that the "I" could possibly be a "J". Whomever had it shot it a lot, the barrel at the muzzle is paper thin. I believe it was fired at some Redcoats.

I do like your input, very interesting. Thanks, Mark

Hungry Horse · « **Reply #16 on:** January 29, 2021, 01:57:16 AM »

The total lack of inletting on the triggerguard tells me this is the original. Also, the lack of a triggerplate, and the use of a trigger nut instead points to it being an Indian trade item.

Hungry Horse

Avlrc · « **Reply #17 on:** January 29, 2021, 03:08:28 AM »

Quote from: Hungry Horse on January 29, 2021, 01:57:16 AM

The total lack of inletting on the triggerguard tells me this is the original. Also, the lack of a triggerplate, and the use of a trigger nut instead points to it being an Indian trade item.

Hungry Horse

If this musket was made for the war effort, during the war, and not modified from an existing fowler. it would of been made hastily & there wouldn't be any inletting. I believe this is common on these muskets made during the war. I thought that that the trade guns were made of walnut in Europe. Can you show me a picture of a cherry stocked Indian trade musket with this same mark on the cheek piece? I am very interested? This gun will have more value to me if this is the case.

Rajin cajun · « **Reply #18 on:** January 29, 2021, 06:22:02 PM »

The Hills family were fond of using parts from other weapons to make their guns. Medad used the nut also to anchor his tang bolt.

Bob

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #19 on:** January 29, 2021, 06:36:21 PM »

Quote from: Hungry Horse on January 29, 2021, 01:57:16 AM

The total lack of inletting on the triggerguard tells me this is the original. Also, the lack of a triggerplate, and the use of a trigger nut instead points to it being an Indian trade item.

Hungry Horse

You really need to read Grinslade's book. Has lots of pictures too.....

rich pierce · « **Reply #20 on:** January 29, 2021, 06:46:46 PM »

Agree it’s an early New England fowler. Trade guns of the period would be French or English and stocked in walnut or possibly beech. No cherry stocked trade guns ever SFAIK. The Flintlock Fowlers book by Grinslade is a tremendous value. It’s a must have book.

WESTbury · « **Reply #21 on:** January 29, 2021, 07:10:49 PM »

What I find somewhat odd about this old fowler is that, very obviously, there is inletting for the lock and the now missing side plate. Why no visible inletting for a triggerguard or triggerplate?

I do not think that "hurried war production" is the answer. Many of the fowlers in Grinslade's book are dated to the Rev War period and yet they all have completed component inletting. Perhaps we are missing something here, but what, I do not know.

rich pierce · « **Reply #22 on:** January 29, 2021, 07:42:45 PM »

Quote from: WESTbury on January 29, 2021, 07:10:49 PM

What I find somewhat odd about this old fowler is that, very obviously, there is inletting for the lock and the now missing side plate. Why no visible inletting for a triggerguard or triggerplate?

I do not think that "hurried war production" is the answer. Many of the fowlers in Grinslade's book are dated to the Rev War period and yet they all have completed component inletting. Perhaps we are missing something here, but what, I do not know.

To me it’s a strap guard not considered worthy of inletting. Treated like a trade gun guard. I think the guard form and that it is surface mounted is what makes it seem similar to a trade gun.

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #23 on:** January 29, 2021, 08:04:29 PM »

New England fowling guns were often missing a trigger plate, not an uncommon thing. Being the trigger guard is a English 'Type G" and was never inlet on the original English trade gun no one would have considered inletting it on this gun either. The original "Type G" gun had a tang screw that went UP from the trigger guard front finial and the tang was threaded for the tang bolt. On This gun how ever, the front finial tang screw hole holds a plain old wood screw when this gun was built. None of these features are unusual for a New England fowling gun.. I wouldn't have been surprised if it didn't have a buttplate either. AND, the square nails in the buttplate aren't unusual for a New England gun either. Again, Read Grinslade's book.

Rajin cajun · « **Reply #24 on:** January 29, 2021, 09:20:57 PM »

Check page 57 in Grinslade book, I have one just like it by the same maker whoever he was.

Bob

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Author Topic: American cherry Stocked Musket (Read 3972 times)