Flintlock Trade Gun/Fowler - Original - Not Reproduction
.580"/24ga smooth bore
Asking $665 shipped.
Album:
https://imgur.com/a/ZxZUN - Please be aware, the yellow indoor lighting has made the metal look more brown that it is with the naked eye.
Fun Facts:
The hand wrap is rawhide and can be easily removed. I did this for decorative/ergonomic purposes. It provides a better grip in gloved hands since I was hunting grouse in cooler weather.
2 years ago the frizzen was re-hardened by custom muzzleloader maker. Shoots bird shot very well, Also shoots a 0.570" round ball loaded from a paper cartridge
There is a small amount of decorative metal engraving on the top of the barrel near the lock, a bit more engraving on the side of the lock, the trigger guard, and a small amount on the metal buttplate as well.The lock is nice and strong and as fast as I ever needed it for hunting small game. Trigger is of decent pull weight. For it's age, it is an really remarkable condition. I mostly use it with shot (#4-6 sized depending on my supply), but it will shoot a round ball pretty well at 50 yards. There was no ram rod when I received it, so I made my own. It's wooden.
Dating
By no means am I a historian, but the proof mark shows it went through the Liege proof house in Belgium. Online resources show two different dates that the proof mark can mean. The NRA museum says it was used 1811 to 1892, but many other places (and a book on trade guns I own) say that starting 1810 this was the sole proof mark until 1853, when it became the mark for definitive proof. Not sure what a sole proof and a definitive proof means. Perhaps someone with far more experience looking at proof marks could do a better job estimating. I like to think it's the first half of the 1800's given the proof mark and that it is a flintlock. These are only my attempts at trying to date this fowler. I like to say it's of 1840's vintage, erroring on the latter span of the proof mark.
I also have a full possibles/shoulder bag kit that I could also sell. This would come with all the necessary accoutrements, horns, everything. I can take pictures of this if the flintlock buyer is interested
Priming horn
Powder horn
Powder measure
Patch knife
Flints
Wadding
Patches
Bird Shot
Roundballs
Custom Leather Flask for Bird Shot
Knapping Iron
Tools
Bore Lube
Paper Crtridges -Bird Shot
Paper Cartridges -Round Ball
Asking $145
Album:
https://imgur.com/a/ZxZUN
Individual Links:
Full Shots:
https://i.imgur.com/XOfStmW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7q01KVE.jpg
Closer Up:
https://i.imgur.com/IHd1WdW.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/nW27USl.jpg
Lock Detail:
https://i.imgur.com/PyGAVHr.jpg
Engravings:
https://i.imgur.com/HtMJuHs.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/g6Gatgq.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/fGa617I.jpg
Proof Mark:
https://i.imgur.com/9nZXhWH.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Yrpn3Of.jpg
I can take more pictures upon request.