GUN FALL 2015
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/5/2015
LONG BARRELED NEW ENGLAND COLONIAL FOWLER WITH EVIDENCE OF MILITIA USAGE. New England Fowler NSN 62 52" rnd 62 Cal. smooth bbl stamped "M" on top at breech. Overall 67-3/4", butt is 4-7/8" x 2". Bbl is pinned to the finely figured curly maple stock which has very nice fan relief carving around bbl tang. 5-1/2" flint lock is engraved but unmarked. Small oval silver inlay on top of wrist and military style brass sideplate. 11" brass trigger guard is English style. First 2-1/4" of stock have been cut back for a bayonet and nose cap added which indicates militia usage by its owner. Ramrod held in place by 4 brass ramrod pipes, first of which is 4" long. There are more surviving Massachusetts militia arms than from the other 5 New England states combined. As the militia was often volunteer and very local, considerable license was permitted in the choice of weapons and uniforms. As was often the custom the lock and bbl used when making this gun were existing parts from other guns. In the colonial period no usable parts were ever discarded. PROVENANCE: Collection of Dr. Douglas Sirkin. CONDITION: Absolutely excellent condition as modified for militia usage. 3-1/2" x 1/8" wood sliver is missing along bbl 7" from muzzle. 43018-88 RG21 (3,000-5,000)