April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
John Fondersmith was a gunsmith in Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania between 1779 and 1803. The fowler features a rounded smoothbore barrel with notched rear sight and brass front sight. Flat top section signed "John Fondersmith" is script. The lockplate is stamped "I. KELLER" in the center. The plain brass furniture includes a trigger guard with acorn finial and buttplate with three stage tang, as well as a typical Lancaster County pattern sideplate. The full length stock is of figured maple. Also included with this lot is a 15" x 20" framed Lancaster County Summons for John Fondersmith dated February, 1803. He was being sued for 433 pounds. It states that he is a gunsmith in the document. The document itself measures 13-1/4" x 8-1/4" with some minor losses to edges and some of the folds are split. CONDITION: Good. Barrel retains a dark, heavy brown patina. Signature is clear. Lock has probably been replaced and is a reconversion. It retains a dark applied finish. Brass furniture retains a mellow patina and shows scattered denting and marks from use. Stock has an added coat of finish and about 21-1/2" of the forend has been restored. Ramrod is a contemporary replacement.
Caliber/Bore
.52 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
J. Fondersmith