Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice matured early U.S. percussion fowling piece, which looks to have been well cared for during its life. It features an American Black Walnut half stock, which is fitted with Nickel Silver and Iron, and is somewhat unadorned, indicating it was intended as a working gun, not a show piece. The fowler features a 37 inch long round barrel with a bore of about 0.693", which does not look to be a bored out rifle. This would be considered "14 Bore", very popular for game fowl, and being completely round with no nocks form definitely would keep the weight down. Overall length is a manageable 53 inches., and it is maker marked on the top of the barrel:-

JOHN WIRTH WEST PHILA.DA.

This is a known maker from the Philadelphia area, who produced percussion fowling pieces such as these, as well as "Pennsylvania" style percussion long rifles. We checked the lock, and there are no markings, so we do not know whether it was made in house or acquired through trade. The lock is functional, however it does not hold at half cock.

The fowler is in lovely condition showing a great aged plum patina on the barrel, and a nice dark oxidized color on the iron trigger guard, ramrod pipes, and butt plate. The nickel silver fittings all have a lovely mellow color, and include the side plate, barrel wedge escutcheons, as well as some shield shaped inlays on the top and bottom of the butt plate. There is a lovely ramrod under the barrel, which is definitely ORIGINAL, fitted with a brass rammer on one end and a clearing worm on the other.

A wonderful early U.S. Percussoin fowler, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1850
Caliber: 14 Bore - .693" smooth bore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 37 Inches
Overall Length: 53 Inches
Action type: Side Action Percussion Lock
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.