Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice "Kentucky" style flintlock fowling piece, which more correctly is known as a Pennsylvania Fowler. This is a very early example, made during the late colonial period, right before the revolution, and it has a relatively advanced lock for the time, featuring a roller on the end of the frizzen spring. It also features a "waterproof" pan with gutters on the side, so we suspect very much that it was imported from England.

There are not any markings that we were able to see on the fowler, either on the lock or barrel, however it looks to have seen long service, so the markings were most likely worn away. The rifle overall has a beautiful sweeping curve to the butt stock area, a trademark of the design. The fowling piece has all brass mountings of trigger guard, butt plate, ramrod pipes, and the distinctive large side plate of the Pennsylvania area. It also has a beautifully engraved patch box on the right side of the stock, which has a release catch on the bottom. There is also a great "hunters star" on the cheek piece on the left side of the stock, which is quite lovely. The back of the wrist has a small oval silver escutcheon, which is unmarked.

The octagonal barrel is 45 1/2" long, with a bore measuring about 0.530", about "31 bore", most likely used for small game and birding. It is possible that it was originally made as a rifle, as it does have front and rear sights, which were often omitted on fowlers. Boring out the barrel on a worn rifles gave them a second life as fowlers, and there is unfortunately not any way to definitively tell what it was originally produced as. The gun measures and impressive 55 1/2" in overall length, and is full stocked, something we do not see often with this type of rifle. Even better, it is made from highly attractive "Tiger Flame" maple, which really pops in the light. This desirable wood was plentiful during the 19th Century, found in the abundant maple trees of the time. The right butt stock area in particularly is beautiful, with some great flame showing a high level of chatoyancy.

The metalwork of the rifle displays a lovely aged and oxidized "mustard" patina overall, which does not show any signs of major cleaning, just how we like to see them. The lock is functional, however it will fire at both full and half cock, though the mainspring is still strong. The barrel shows a good amount of powder burn around the touch hole, as well as overall past peppering and pitting for much of the length, so it looks to have seen quite a bit of use during its service life.

The stock is in very good shape, with a lovely color and great "flame" figuring for the entire length. It has a lovely cheek piece on the left side of the stock, typical of the style. The wrist is also checkered, and there are some great accent lines on the butt stock and fore stock. There is some wear to the finish and stock around the flash pan, a common place to see this, but we do not see any other major damage such as cracks, repairs, etc. This is definitely a rarity, as the stocks on Pennsylvania rifles are very thin, and the wood is somewhat delicate, so seeing one that has not been majorly damaged is a real treat! It still retains a wooden ramrod, which is probably a working life replacement.

A most attractive and interesting Pennsylvania Flintlock 31 bore Fowler with some great engrave fittings, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1760
Caliber: about 0.530" - 31 Bore
Cartridge Type: Ball / Shot and Powder
Barrel Length: 45 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 61 Inches
Action type: Side Action Flint Lock
Feed System: Muzzle Loading

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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.

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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.