Original Item: Only One Available. This is an original Irish large bore .75 caliber overcoat or “walking pistol,” made circa 1800 and later converted from flintlock to percussion. The lock is marked FOWLER for the Dublin maker Thomas Fowler, and the top of the barrel carries the later Irish registration marking C N 3342 for County Cavan. Measuring approximately 9 1/2" overall with a 5" twist forged octagonal barrel, this is a compact but substantial private purchase pistol from the late flintlock and early percussion era.

This is an antique black powder firearm manufactured before 1899. Under federal law, it may generally be owned within the United States without a special license or permit and does not require transfer through a Federal Firearms Licensee. However, state and local laws may vary. This firearm is sold solely as a historical collector’s item and has not been test fired or inspected for firing safety by a professional gunsmith. Any mechanical or bore observations provided below describe only its present condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the firearm is safe to load or fire. The purchaser is solely responsible for complying with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Large bore overcoat pistols of this type were intended for close range personal protection and were often carried while traveling. Their heavy caliber and compact dimensions made them practical defensive arms in an era when reliability and immediate stopping effect were important considerations.

The lock plate is marked:

FOWLER

for Dublin gunsmith Thomas Fowler, who operated during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. This pistol was originally manufactured as a flintlock and was later converted to percussion. The original pan, frizzen, and frizzen spring were removed, the former mounting holes were largely plugged, and a drum style percussion bolster was added at the right side of the breech. The plugged holes remain visible, along with a remnant of the former pan flashguard behind the percussion nipple.

The lock retains a small amount of engraved decoration on its tail and presently functions correctly, holding at half cock and releasing at full cock. The mainspring remains strong. These observations describe only the present mechanical condition and should not be interpreted as confirmation that the pistol is safe to load or fire.

The top of the barrel is marked:

C N 3342

This is an Irish registration marking applied under the 1843 firearms registration system, with the C N district code identifying County Cavan. The marking demonstrates that the pistol remained in Ireland and was still in circulation decades after its original manufacture.

The pistol is simply but attractively mounted, with an engraved iron trigger guard and a small copper escutcheon at the rear of the wrist. The stock has fine checkering around the grip, while a wooden ramrod is retained beneath the barrel. The ramrod has a brass fitting with an iron cleaning worm at its narrow end.

The metalwork is in very good condition overall, with an attractive aged patina and scattered areas of old peppering and oxidation. Powder residue corrosion is most noticeable around the percussion bolster and breech area. The bolster itself shows comparatively less erosion, suggesting that much of the wear may predate the percussion conversion.

The stock retains a rich red brown color beneath an old varnished finish and shows scattered dents and handling marks consistent with long use. There is some localized woodworm damage, along with an older filler repair at the upper rear of the lock plate that is now beginning to chip away.

With its large .75 caliber bore, compact overcoat pistol configuration, Fowler lock marking, original flintlock origins, later percussion conversion, County Cavan registration number C N 3342, twist forged octagonal barrel, checkered grip, and surviving worm tipped ramrod, this is a particularly interesting Irish pistol showing a long span of service and modification. The percussion conversion, powder erosion, scattered peppering, woodworm damage, and deteriorating filler repair are all fully disclosed. It would fit especially well in an Irish arms, Dublin gunmaker, percussion conversion, early 19th century pistol, or advanced antique firearms collection.

Specifications:

Year of Manufacture: circa 1800
Maker: Thomas Fowler
Caliber: .75" pistol
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 5 inches
Overall Length: 9 1/2 inches
Action: Percussion lock side action
Feed System: Muzzle-Loaded
Federal Classification: Pre-1899 Antique

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.