Item Description
Original Item: Only One Available. This is a lovely example of an early 19th century Spanish miquelet fowling piece, with some lovely Silver mountings and very decorative appointments. It measures 44 inches in overall length, with a 29 ½ inch long part octagon part round barrel. The bore measures out to about .730" inches, usually considered 12 bore or gauge, a very popular size for fowling then as much as it is now. The piece was originally made with a Miquelet lock set up for flint ignition, but was later converted circa 1830 to work with the new percussion system.
The breech end of the barrel has some lovely inlaid silver foliate designs, as well as some gold inlaid stars and other proof marks. There may have been additional proof marks, but powder burn as well as the percussion conversion most likely removed them.
This lovely fowler features a combination of iron and silver mountings, with the engraved trigger guard and partial butt plate being made of iron. The front ramrod pipe is made of silver, and the barrel band is also silver, and even has a lovely band spring made from silver that is also shaped and engraved to look like a fish. The lock also has some lovely engraving, especially on the replacement percussion hammer, which is also engraved to look like a fish. There is a lovely silver patch box on the right side of the butt stock.
The very elegant walnut wood stock has some very interesting profiling on the butt stock. The beautifully made lock is made in the best Spanish Miquelet tradition, with engraving on the plate and hammer. The miquelet lock has a functional half cock position, which is linked to the trigger, and correctly only fires from the fully cocked position. There is a lovely brass fit ramrod under the barrel, which looks to be original.
It is very rare to find one of these fowlers in such fine condition with lovely silver fittings. Truly magnificent and ready to research and display!
Specifications:
Year of Manufacture: Circa 1810 - updated circa 1830
Caliber: approx. .728 - 12 Bore / Gauge
Ammunition Type: Lead Ball & Powder
Barrel Length: 29 ½ inches
Overall Length: 44 inches
Action: Miquelet Percussion Lock
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.
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.
- This product is available for international shipping.
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.
- Not eligible for payment with Paypal or Amazon
