January 16, 2020 The Susquehanna Collection
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/16/2020
This fowler is featured on page 202 as number KF3 of "Flintlock Fowlers, The First Guns Made in America" by Tom Grinslade. It hung on the wall of the Max Hess department store in Allentown, Pennsylvania for many years before it was acquired by Don Newcomer. This fine patchboxed fowler dates circa 1780-1790 and is attributed to George Frederick Fainot because of his trademark sideplate, which shows French influence. Fainot was a French immigrant who was trained in Europe before working in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was born in France in 1728 near the Swiss border and originally immigrated to Quebec, Canada. He later moved to the Hudson Valley before he arrived in Lancaster in 1770 and worked for about 40 years on North Queen St. In 1779, he supplied rifles to the Continental Army, according to "The Lancaster Long Rifle" by Hornberger and Kolar, where another similar example with a nearly identical patchbox is shown on pages 28 and 29. The long tapered round barrel has sights mounted on top and a partial top flat, appears to be of American manufacture. The flat lockplate has a single line border and is inscribed "Ketland" in the center and "UNITED / STATES" at the tail. The brass furniture includes a buttplate with a four stage tang, a trigger guard in the French style with an acorn finial, brass ramrod ferrules, and rounded sideplate showing French influence. Full length walnut stock of European form with wrist extending into butt. Relief carved panels around lock, sideplate, and more ornate shell carving around ramrod entry ferrule, and behind barrel tang. Other than the architecture, the carving is more reminiscent of his work in the Hudson Valley. There is an engraved, horizontally-hinged patchbox with the lid surrounded completely. Complete with a wooden ramrod. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina, heavy in some areas, some corrosion at breech. Possibly its second lock, but in original flintlock configuration with some pitting in the center. Brass retains a mellow mustard patina and shows some scattered marks and wear. Stock retains much of its dark early finish with about 25" of forend professionally restored, as well as a 9" sliver in front of the sideplate on the left side. On the opposite side there is evidence of an old butterfly repair, which is now reinforced and stabilized. Otherwise, a minor chip missing behind barrel tang and some age cracks and scattered marks from use. An exceptionally nice and early fowler with attractive form and a tremendously long barrel.
Caliber/Bore
.64 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
George F. Fainot, Attributed
Model
Flintlock Kentucky Fowler