Author Topic: Fowler found in a wall (Read 15078 times)

WKevinD · « **on:** February 22, 2021, 03:53:44 PM »

I just had a chance to view this amazing piece.
It was found in a wall in the thirties and just came out of a closet in perfect attic condition. All the natural grunge and tarnish intact.

Dan Fruth · « **Reply #1 on:** February 22, 2021, 05:09:50 PM »

More pics please! This one is a beauty

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #2 on:** February 22, 2021, 05:40:01 PM »

I'm going to start tearing down my walls today to see what's in them.

oldtravler61 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 22, 2021, 06:28:43 PM »

Mike just go build one. Might be a tad easier for you.

Avlrc · « **Reply #4 on:** February 22, 2021, 06:37:15 PM »

Awesome , thanks for sharing.

homerifle · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2021, 06:42:28 PM »

Quote from: Dan Fruth on February 22, 2021, 05:09:50 PM

More pics please! This one is a beauty

Awesome! Thanks!

rich pierce · « **Reply #6 on:** February 22, 2021, 06:44:37 PM »

Interesting New England fowler stocked in curly maple. Massachusetts?

Avlrc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2021, 06:47:16 PM »

Quote from: Mike Brooks on February 22, 2021, 05:40:01 PM

I'm going to start tearing down my walls today to see what's in them.

Yeah, would be worth knocking a wall or two down for something like that, LOL.

Cades Cove Fiddler · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2021, 07:10:14 PM »

... is the date on the thumb piece, ANO 1775,...

WKevinD · « **Reply #9 on:** February 22, 2021, 07:41:32 PM »

Quote from: rich pierce on February 22, 2021, 06:44:37 PM

Interesting New England fowler stocked in curly maple. Massachusetts?

From what I've found came from Shrewsbury Mass. Belonged to Asa Rice
Who was part of Artemas Wards regiment
Thumbpiece is engraved "A. Rice 1775"
Kevin

WKevinD · « **Reply #10 on:** February 22, 2021, 07:50:54 PM »

A few more pictures and measurments.
Kevin

Majorjoel · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2021, 07:54:03 PM »

Just beautiful! Some walls really do TALK!

2 shots · « **Reply #12 on:** February 22, 2021, 08:02:06 PM »

fantastic find. i think i would tear my house down for that piece

rich pierce · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2021, 08:31:34 PM »

Thanks for great photos and measurements!

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2021, 09:11:36 PM »

Appears to be a restocked Fusil de Trait. Nifty.

WKevinD · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2021, 09:46:45 PM »

I looked pretty close I never saw anything aside from curley.maple that made me think re-stock.
I'm going back with a better camera to take better pics, what do you think I should look for to confirm re-stock or original?
Kevin

WESTbury · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2021, 09:57:45 PM »

Great fowler.

The Hills family from Goshen Connecticut used curly maple.

Kent

rich pierce · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2021, 10:40:01 PM »

Quote from: WKevinD on February 22, 2021, 09:46:45 PM

I looked pretty close I never saw anything aside from curley.maple that made me think re-stock.
I'm going back with a better camera to take better pics, what do you think I should look for to confirm re-stock or original?
Kevin

Not at all. Curly maple vs cherry could help sort out where it’s from. As noted the Hills family used curly maple but this is not their usual style. It appears to have all French furniture. I’d be amazed if it’s a restock of a NE fowler. It’s unknown to me whether NE fowlers like this are made with recycled or never used French parts like the furniture here. Excellent gun.

mr. no gold · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2021, 11:51:31 PM »

All of a sudden, it's fowler season! Where are all these great, early, colonial smooth guns coming from? Wow, we go years without seeing any and now they are coming out of the walls. The wear patterns on this gun are superb. It is a real diamond and very glad to know that it was retrieved rather than demolished as could have happened. Great history for the gun and may have been used in the War, but since there is no provision for a bayonet, that is not a foregone conclusion. Hope that you will post some more photos, full length, and detail photos of the furniture. Thank you for posting these photos. It is a real joy too see this one!
Dick

satwel · « **Reply #19 on:** February 23, 2021, 01:21:16 AM »

I live about 10 miles from Shrewsbury. Too bad my house isn't old enough to contain a hidden fowler.

Here's his listing from Find a Grave:

Served as a colonel in Massachusetts during the American Revolution.
(46th-55th Annual Reports DAR. Senate documents (United States Congress, Senate). Government Printing Office: Washington, DC)

From the American Federalist Columbian Centinel, Boston, MA,
08-16-1823, Issue: 4106 Page 2:
"DIED
In Shrewsbury, 4th inst. COL. ASA RICE, a patriot of the revolution, aged 82. He was found in his bed where he apparently died without a struggle. He has entered his rest after a long and laborious life spent in well-doing." (This information contributed by Findagrave member #47536758.)

WESTbury · « **Reply #20 on:** February 23, 2021, 01:58:58 AM »

Thanks satwel for posting Asa Rices obituary. It really makes us appreciate that the people who owned these old guns were real and contributed to our nation's history.

Keith Zimmerman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2021, 04:24:35 AM »

I think I would fall over dead if I found something like that.

WESTbury · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2021, 05:52:37 AM »

Quote from: Keith Zimmerman on February 23, 2021, 04:24:35 AM

I think I would fall over dead if I found something like that.

Keith,

How about I give you my contact info just in case you do find something this nice and drop dead!

WKevinD · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2021, 03:39:00 PM »

I have had a number of "offers to buy".
Sorry but it is a family heirloom and at this point definitely not for sale.
The owner is extremely excited to see interest in this guns history and origins.
I have the owners blessing to return and thoroughly examine and photograph this gem with my "good" camera.
If he will approve I will remove the lock and barrel for an inside look.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Kevin

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2021, 03:53:40 PM »

All the mounts are iron and French in origin. The donor gun was undoubtedly A french Fusil De Trait. New England gunmakers weren't making this quality of iron mounts. This isn't a bad thing. A huge number of the NE fowling guns were stocked up using french parts. My old NE fowling gun is stocked up from an old French trade gun....with a craptastic back action lock!

News:

Author Topic: Fowler found in a wall (Read 15078 times)