This rare and aesthetically pleasing American Revolutionary War era arm was presented quite accurately by earlier collector Professor Charles Thayer, University of Pennsylvania: "Perhaps the most famous New England arms maker of the Colonial-Rev. Period, Thomas Earle was personally commissioned by George Washington to make a custom fowler for the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. This is the subject of a detailed article in Man at Arms (Dec., 1997, v. 19, no. 6, p 19-29). The present offering is a rare opportunity to acquire a signed Earle fowler. There are only about half-a-dozen authentic examples known, and most of these are locked up in major collections and museums. Other New England fowlers use French components, but this one, like others by Earle, is 100% American. It is dated 1773 on its silver escutcheon, just two years before Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. British officers credited their American adversaries with effective long-range sniping using long fowlers like this one. Its military usage is obvious from the fact that it was altered to accept a bayonet, which accompanies it. This gun is a classic example of the "Worcester County" school, with its slender, graceful stock of cherry and typical "cloud"-form side-plate (See Tom Grinsdale's book Flintlock Fowlers, pg. 60-65). George Washington had an extensive collection of personal arms; most were ordered from London. Clearly, the Commander-in-Chief considered Earle to be their equal. Washington's Earle fowler has vanished. Of the handful that remain, this is the only one that is dated and the only one adapted to a bayonet. About half of the surviving Earle's guns are stylistically of the 1780's or so, too late for the momentous events of 1775. This gun has seen a great deal of honest wear, consistent with combat use. For example, the mainspring once slipped off the tumbler and split the wood under the rear of the lock. This was repaired with square nails during the gun's working like. Like an old veteran, this gun wears its wounds with pride!" SIZE: CONDITION: Old cracks restored as noted above. Brass and silver heavily worn from use such that details are light. Initials and date on thumbplate are barely discernible, but present. Wood overall has a hand worn patina. Only recent restoration noted is inset wood forward and under lock. Extremely rare, original American bayonet has matching patina beneath bayonet accoutrements and has been with gun a very long time as metal on barrel retains much of its original surface. Other metal surfaces of barrel and lock are overall brown/grey with pitting, especially around breech. 51268-1 JS (20,000-30,000)