Original Item: Only One Available. Here is a very nice "Kentucky" style flintlock fowling piece, which more correctly is known as a Pennsylvania Fowler. Overall it has a beautiful sweeping curve to the butt stock area, a trademark of the design, and overall the style is like those produced in Bucks County, PA. The fowling piece has all brass mountings of trigger guard, butt plate, ramrod pipes, and "teardrop" shaped lock screw escutcheons. There is also an oval silver escutcheon on the back of the wrist, as well as a "moon" on the left side of the butt stock.

The lock looks to be an unmarked "Trade Lock", acquired locally, which has some engraving but no markings we can see. The barrel does however have markings, and in this case they are clear British post 1813 markings, including the CROWN / GP gunmaker's proof and CROWN / V "viewed" markings from the London gun company proof house. It was very common for gunsmiths of the time to purchase barrels and locks separately, which were often available at local stores.

The round barrel 40 1/2" long, with a bore measuring about 0.680", but it is definitely quite worn, so we believe it was originally about 0.662", or "16 Bore", a popular fowling size of the time. There are no sights, and it has no octagonal portions, so we have no reason to believe that it is a rifle that was later smoothbored. 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 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 fully functional, still holding correctly at half cock, firing at full. There is some powder burn around the touch hole, and there is also overall light peppering on the barrel. The stock is in very good shape, with a lovely color and great "flame" figuring for the entire length. We do not see any structural cracks on the wrist or forestock, which are unfortunately common due to figured maple being somewhat delicate when it ages. There is chipping along the woodline on the forestock area, and some repairs around the barrel tang area. In particular, there is a wood graft repair on the right side of the tang, most likely to replace wood damaged by powder burn from the flash pan. It still retains a wooden ramrod, which is probably a working life replacement.

A most attractive and interesting Pennsylvania Flintlock 16 bore Fowler, ready to research and display!

Specifications-

Year of Manufacture: c.1780
Caliber: about 0.662" - 16 Bore
Cartridge Type: Ball / Shot and Powder
Barrel Length: 40 1/2 Inches
Overall Length: 55 1/2 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.

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.