Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very nice matured "Pennsylvania" percussion fowling piece, often referred to as a "Kentucky Fowler". The design developed in Pennsylvania, and then spread down the Ohio River Valley to Kentucky, where it was very popular. It features all brass mountings on a thin profile maple or beech stock. The fowler features a 43 ½ inch long round barrel with a bore of about 0.615", which does not look to be a bored out rifle. This would be considered "20 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 58 ½ inches.

As with many firearms produced during this period, it is fitted with a "trade lock", which in this case is British, marked with a faint KETLAND, possibly with & Co. underneath. This family business was started in 1740 by William Ketland, who is recorded as working from 1740-1804, eventually expanding to have operations in both Birmingham and London as W. Ketland & Co.. Following his death in 1804 the name was shortened to Ketland & Co., and it operated for decades under this name before finally folding in 1831. However it lasted over almost 100 years transacted a tremendous amount of business both domestically and abroad. Their Birmingham markings were so well known that in 1813 they became the official Birmingham Proof marks.

It looks to originally have been a flintlock, but the frizzen and pan have been removed, and their locations plugged but visible. It is a modern lock with two screws behind the hammer. We do not know whether this is the first gun it was used on, as it was very common for these locks to be reused if they were serviceable. The barrel is fitted with a simple "barrel" style bolster attached to the side, so it is possible that the barrel was originally flintlock as well.

The fowler is in good condition, with a lovely patina of age, especially on the all brass fittings. There is even a date of 1803 marked on the bottom of the trigger guard, but we believe the fowler was more likely made circa 1830. The metalwork overall shows a lovely "plum" colored patina, with surface oxidation and staining and some powder burn and peppering near the cap nipple cone. The barrel is fitted with simple notch sights, which look to be original. The lock is functional, however it will not hold at half cock due to wear on the tumbler. The stock has a lovely curve to it, with no major damage, though there is a dowel repaired chunk that broke off to the rear of the lock, a very common place for this to happen. There is a wooden ramrod under the barrel, but it looks to be a display replacement.

A very nice Pennsylvania Percussion Fowling Piece with a great patina of age. Ready to hang on the wall!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1830
Caliber: 20 Bore - .615" smooth bore
Cartridge Type: Ball and Powder
Barrel Length: 43 ½ Inches
Overall Length: 58 ½ 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.