April 24-25, 2019 Extraordinary, Sporting, & Collector Firearms
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/24/2019
This fowler is mentioned in the Kentucky Rifle Association Bulletin article "In Search of John Shuler and the Bucks County Gunsmiths" by Eric Armstrong on page 6. It is attributed to Jacob Daub of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The fowler has a round swamped barrel with octagonal breech section and top flat. Breech with some chiseled designs and engraving, sights mounted on top. The rounded lockplate with detached pan is unmarked. Brass European style furniture with some engraving. This is a style typically seen on early rifles and fowlers in Bucks County. Full length figured maple stock, butt measures 1-3/4" and has no toeplate. Relief cheek piece carved on left side across top in block letters "I AM NOT AFRAID" and beneath cheek piece "1774". Stock is carved with typical Bucks County incised carving around the entry ferrule, barrel tang, lock cavity, sideplate, and both sides of the wrist. The back of the buttstock on the left side is carved with scrolls. Complete with period possibly original ramrod. There is a small diamond inlaid on the wrist, which is probably a later addition put on during the period of use. CONDITION: Barrel has some brown finish added and shows significant wear at breech. Lock has been professionally reconverted and is possibly a second lock. Sideplate is a good replacement. Brass furniture retains an unpolished patina. Stock had about 14" of forend professionally restored, as well as a piece between the lock and barrel tang, and a small sliver above the front of the lock tang. Otherwise, stock shows scattered marks from use and wear consistent with its age. There are a few other splinters replaced along the left side of the barrel. This is a very interesting and early Bucks County fowler.
Caliber/Bore
.59 Smoothbore
Paperwork
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