Author Topic: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England  (Read 479 times)

Offline rich pierce

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A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« on: October 29, 2024, 07:03:51 PM »
Club-butt fowlers are a bit off to the side of the focus here, but I want to share some thoughts and perhaps promote discussion about a group of guns attributed to New England, that appear to be related.

Guns 1 and 2 There are 2 early fowlers (CB-6 and CB-7) in Tom Grinslade’s book, Flintlock Fowlers, in the club-butt section, that are closely related.  CB-6 and CB-7 share features including dual cheekpieces, unusual nautilus shell-like carving, near identical tang carving, and elongated nosecaps attached directly to the barrel by a pin through the front underlug.  Sideplates are very similar and have silver inlays or thin silver overlays soldered to the brass sideplates.  CB-6 appears to be stocked in American walnut to me, but it could be cherry.  CB-7 is stocked in curly maple.
Wester White’s newly released book, Historic Arms of Early New York, 1640 to 1850, also illustrates these 2 guns.  Wes White’s S2.15 = Grinslade’s CB6 =, and Wes White’s S2.16 = Grinslade’s CB-7.
Here are some pictures of CB-6









Gun 3 Recently, DaveM shared a short colonial musket with the hallmark nosecap shared by CB-6 and -7, but with no cheekpieces and quite different carving of the buttstock. The sideplate is not reminiscent of sideplates on CB-6 and -7.  Here is DaveM’s post: https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=82012.msg806747#msg806747  This gun is stocked in curly maple.  Based on the nosecap, symmetry of carving on left and right sides, and tang carving, I propose it is closely related to the 2 guns above.







Gun 4 Wes White's book showed a spectacular smooth rifle which has carving around the comb almost identical to Gun 3 above.  Tang carving is like the 3 guns above.  Unusual features include an inlaid brass “death mask” on the barrel, rifle style guard of quite early form, a rifle-like cheekpiece that fell off (it was glued on and doweled), and a cool buttplate with a comb extension featuring a dragon head eating the buttplate tang extension.  The buttplate has engraving of a folksy form such as we might find on powder horns, and in script, “W Wood”, and “1744”.  White suggested this W Wood was a NY gunsmith listed in a compilation by R. H Blackburn.  We normally view such early dates with great skepticism.

Gun 5 is at auction here https://live.amoskeagauction.com/lot-details/index/catalog/122/lot/86176/Very-Fine-Unmarked-Club-Butt-Buccaneer-Long-Fowler?url=%2Fauctions%2Fcatalog%2Fid%2F122%3Flotnum%3D364#mz-expanded-view-103043114147 . This gun appears to be later based on the lock marked T Ketland and Co.  It shares the common nosecap form and like Gun 4 above, has a “death mask” barrel inlay.  The sideplate is shaped and engraved similarly to CB-6 and -7.
Some pictures







Altogether, it seems we have a set of related guns likely made in the same shop, and possibly by the same hand, spanning at least 1770 (Tom Grinslade's estimate for CB-6) to 1790 (proposed date for Gun 5 at Amoskeag auction based on the T Ketland lock).  I don't know what to make of the 1744 date for gun 4, but the profile sure looks like a HVF of 1760's, with an early rifle style guard we'd be expecting to find on a pre-1770 rifle.  The maker(s) used curly maple, cherry, and possibly walnut, multiple carving tyles (all unusual), and several architectures.

Thoughts?


« Last Edit: October 29, 2024, 10:11:34 PM by rich pierce »
Andover, Vermont

Offline WKevinD

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Re: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2024, 08:36:27 PM »
Rich,
The butt plate on CB7 is similar to a HVF at Old Stone Fort. Is it cast or formed? The deep heal makes me think it must be cast but the end view of the heel looks to be formed sheet. Also curious about the nose cap and what looks like solder at the barrel.
Really like that one. In my opinion Grinslade did not give it enough attention.
I've watched you form buttplates but none as deep as that one
Kevin



PEACE is that glorious moment in history when everyone stands around reloading.  Thomas Jefferson

Offline rich pierce

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Re: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2024, 09:43:40 PM »
Hi Kevin,
I’ve not had CB-7 in my hands but I can share more construction details of CB-6.
Buttplate: appears cast but I cannot remove it. The head of the buttplate screw at the heel is gone.
Nosecap: affixed by a pin through the front underlug. With a flashlight there’s no sign of solder.
Underlugs: tiny and dovetailed. Those guys could drill straight!
Tang and lock bolts: hand forged. The front lock bolt has been tapered in the middle to allow the ramrod to pass.
Front 2 thimbles: not pinned. The tabs are folded in the barrel channel! Like some trade guns.
Touch hole: very low on the barrel.
Wood: after looking in the barrel channel it is definitely cherry.













Andover, Vermont

Offline WESTbury

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Re: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« Reply #3 on: October 31, 2024, 01:04:31 AM »
Great photos Rich.

Without seeing a photo of the lock interior, to me, the lock mortice looks fairly pristine.

Excellent untouched patina on the barrel and screws.
"We are not about to send American Boys 9 to 10 thousand miles away from home to do what Asian Boys ought to be doing for themselves."
President Lyndon B. Johnson October 21, 1964

Offline WKevinD

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Re: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« Reply #4 on: October 31, 2024, 01:17:11 AM »
Rich. That concave forend sure is attractive. I have seen thimbles that were folded to secure them but not with small front and rear tabs, nice detail.
I notice that the trigger guards appear surface mounted. Is that typical  for this form of NE fowler?

Kevin
PEACE is that glorious moment in history when everyone stands around reloading.  Thomas Jefferson

Offline rich pierce

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Re: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« Reply #5 on: October 31, 2024, 01:34:33 AM »
Rich. That concave forend sure is attractive. I have seen thimbles that were folded to secure them but not with small front and rear tabs, nice detail.
I notice that the trigger guards appear surface mounted. Is that typical  for this form of NE fowler?

Kevin
Kevin, the guards are inletted. Cameras lie sometimes!  ;D

Another detail; the side plate was much thinner than I expected. And the side plate inlet was smooth and flat as a glassy lake with the moon shining on it. The skills shown in making this gun impress me.
Andover, Vermont

Offline John Proud

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Re: A group of related smoothbore guns attributed to New England
« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2024, 04:55:54 PM »
Interesting. Learning a lot . Please keepthe pictures and ccommentary coming.