Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice British single barrel 18 bore percussion fowling piece, signed on the lock RICH'D HOLLIS, for well-known London gunmaker RICHARD W. HOLLIS, who worked from 1790 until 1850. We have had several other percussion fowling pieces from this maker, and they all have been very nice. This example is half stocked, with a 36 inch long two stage barrel that is octagonal at the breech and round at the muzzle. From the looks of the barrel, it is "Damascus" steel, which was a common way for shotgun barrels to be made on higher end models. The forging pattern is still easily visible on the exterior of the barrel.

We pulled the wedge from the stock and removed the barrel, but we were not able to see any proofs on the bottom. We can see some areas on the top of the barrel where it looks like there were markings, however it has been cleaned multiple times, so these markings are now removed. We also noted that the bore is heavily worn, and the muzzle quite thin, so this may originally have been a 16 bore fowler that was extensively used.

The walnut stock is checkered at the grip, featuring an iron butt plate and trigger guard, while the barrel wedge escutcheons and other embellishments look to be oxidized nickel alloy. The nose cap looks to be of brown horn, very commonly used for this purpose. The stock shows overall wear, but still has a lovely color and relatively strong checkering on the wrist. We did no notice any major structural damage, just the usual cracks around the lock screw and some wood missing near the "Dolphin" hammer on the lock. There is also a repair to the front of the lock, which actually looks to be converted from flintlock. The iron metalwork shows light peppered oxidation overall, now mostly cleaned away. We checked the lock, and it is fully functional. holding at half cock and firing at full. There is a nice brass tipped wooden ramrod under the barrel, though the cap over the clearing worm is seized at present.

A very nice mid 19th century British Fowling piece, the perfect thing to hang on the wall!

Specifications:-

Year of Manufacture: circa 1840
Caliber: about .638" - 18 bore
Ammunition Type: Lead ball / shot and Powder
Barrel Length: 36 inches 
Overall Length: 51 3/4 inches
Action: Back Action Percussion
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

NOTE: International orders of antique firearms MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services (courier). USPS Priority Mail international will not accept these. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to possess, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1899 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in "live" condition, and are not tested for the the ability to feed or load any type of cartridge. They are sold as collector's items or as "wall hangers" not for use, and we make no guarantees regarding functionality aside from what is stated in the description. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Pre-1899 Manufacture, no licenses required, allowed to ship to almost any deliverable address across the globe. Please note that for international shipping, these MUST be shipped using UPS WW Services. International customers should always consult their country's antique gun laws prior to ordering.