AMER AUGUST 2016
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/24/2016
EXTREMELY RARE AND HISTORIC NEW ENGLAND LONG FOWLER INSCRIBED AND DATED 1776 USED BY BENJAMIN BALDWIN AT THE BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, DEACCESSIONED BY ROCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY.NEFOWLERNSN58 CAL58 cal. This classic early 18th century, club-butt Fowler has 54" smooth bore barrel. This gun has "as found" attic appearance with wonderful carving "B * B / 1776" on left side of butt. Benjamin Baldwin SR. (1724 - unknown), reverse side of butt stock is also carved with the initials of Benjamin's grandson William "W * B / 1822". Gun has tag transcribed from Rochester Historical book 1-1115 identifying this as "Colonial Flintlock Fowling piece, used by Benjamin Baldwin - Battle of Bunker Hill, gift of Mary B. Corbin 1895". William Baldwin was born in 1796 and was married to Mary E. Corbin (obviously transcription error on middle initial from Rochester Historical). Mary Corbin born in 1821 was 74 years old when she made this donation. Benjamin Baldwin along with his brother and son are listed as Private's under General Ebenezer Bridge also of Billerica, Mass., of the 55 "Billerica Men" listed in the 200th Anniversary of the Incorporation of Billerica, Mass, May 29th, 1855, four enlisted men are also listed as killed at Bunker Hill and it is noted that General Ebenezer Bridge and two other officers were wounded at Bunker Hill. SIZE: 70" overall. CONDITION: Original, authentic, "as found". This old Fowler obviously saw continued use, lock was updated, but is in condition it was donated in 1895, there is a contemporary repair to butt at lower toe utilizing a well patinaed screw, otherwise stock appears sound and solid. The lock is circa 1800 and was changed when "WB/1822" was using gun. Stock is missing 2 pins retaining barrel, original wooden ramrod has iron worm that threads are broken. Mechanically gun still functions with a clear smooth bore. Brass mountings which were utilized from various European and American guns have mixed olive and mustard colored patinas as does the wear plate forward of trigger guard, stock has hand worn patina. 50580-1 JS (6,000-8,000)