April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This early Hudson Valley fowler features a three stage smoothbore steel barrel with small front and rear sights mounted on top. It has an early banana lock, which was converted to percussion with a drum during its period of use. The trigger is curled in the early style and the furniture is all of brass. The buttplate appears to be from an early Long Land Pattern Brown Bess, as it has a six inch tang with four stages. The sideplate features a detailed sea serpent, the triggerguard is of early English form with acanthus leaf finial, and the ramrod ferrules of early vase-and-ring turning form. There is a vacant brass wrist escutcheon, which is obviously American made. The full-length stock appears to be cherry and has some areas of figuring, buttstock of early form with wrist extending into butt. There is a fine relief-carved shell design surrounding the barrel tang. The ramrod is probably a contemporary replacement. CONDITION: Good, as found and untouched condition with dark patina overall. The forend has been professionally restored and the seam is not visible, matches very well. The three ferrules closest to the muzzle are accurate and well-colored replacments. Barrel and lock retain a dark heavy patina. Brass is unpolished and dark. Stock is dry and shows scattered cracks and chips from age and use. Wrist has a period repair using very early nails and an early screw. Some chipping around buttplate and barrel tang. Overall, a very early, honest and attractive American fowler that displays very well.
Caliber/Bore
.70 Smoothbore