Original Item: One of a Kind. Here we have a truly lovely example of a mid 18th Century Spanish Fowling Piece in approximately 16 Bore, crafted by Catalan gunmaker Antonio Rovira of Igualada. Guns of this era from Spain were true works of art, usually made to order, and featured carved stocks and extremely high levels of decoration. This example features a fantastic 2 stage octagon to 16 sided barrel, which has just a bit of a flare at the muzzle. The first stage has inlays that look dark blue or black in color, but are actually tarnished silver, which must have looked quite impressive when the piece was new. It also has a great sculpted silver rear sight, and matching silver blade front sight. It also has beautiful silver escutcheon on the back of the wrist.

This magnificent fowling piece is marked with a standard Spanish style touchmark both on the breech end of the barrel, highlighted with gold, and on the top of the lock, which reads:-

(Crown)
RO
VI
RA

There is also ICVALADA engraved into the front of the lock frizzen, which is a "Romanized" way of spelling the name of Catalan city Iqualada. Antonio Rovira (Ruira), was recorded working in Igualada, and was a gunmaker to King Fernando VI. He was related to the earlier gunmaker Rovira of Ripoll. Truly an exceptional Spanish maker of the highest quality.

The gun's overall length is 58 inches, with a 43 inch barrel, and it features heavily embossed and engraved iron fittings. The lock side plate and long butt plate tang are covered in stands of arms and foliate motifs, with more foliate motifs on the trigger guard and trigger plate. The lock plate and all lock components feature similar engraving, with some high relief stands of arms and foliage designs. The metalwork shows a bit of light staining overall, but is really in fantastic shape considering the age.

The lock on this example looks like a standard flintlock, however it has both the full and half cock sears protruding on the exterior as a Miquelet lock does. The hooked half cock sear is in front of the hammer, while the flat full cock sear is behind the hammer, something we have never really seen before. We did check the functionality, and it works great, with no deficiencies to note. This is to be expected on an arm of this quality.

The stock has some lovely carved designs surrounding the lock and side plate, and also has a great "banister" style butt stock. There are also some leaf style carvings around the barrel tang. The wood has a beautiful color with no damage we can see. The fore stock area has some lovely iron barrel bands, held in place by band springs of a somewhat unique design. There is also a horn tipped ramrod under the barrel, though we do not no if it is original to the piece or not. The stock is also fitted with two small sling swivels.

This is a truly magnificent piece of mid 18th century Spanish craftsmanship, made by a known maker to the king. Ready to add to your collection and display!

Specifications:-

Years of Manufacture: Circa 1760
Caliber: approx .65" - about 16 bore
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball / Shot & Powder
Barrel Length: 43 inches
Overall Length: 58 inches
Action: Miquelet Style Flintlock
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded

History of the Miquelet Lock:
Miquelet lock is a modern term used by collectors and curators, largely in the English-speaking world, for a type of firing mechanism used in muskets and pistols. It is a distinctive form of snaplock, originally as a flint-against-steel ignition form, once prevalent in Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Balkans, North Africa, Ottoman Empire and throughout Spain's colonies from the late 16th to the mid 19th centuries.

The term miquelet lock was not recorded until the 19th century, long after the appearance of the mechanism in the 16th century, and is of uncertain origin. One commonly held view is that it was coined by British troops in the Peninsular War to describe the style of musket used by the Miquelet (militia) that had been assigned to the Peninsular Army of the Duke of Wellington.

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 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.