October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
For a nearly identical example, see gun NE31 on page 65 of "Flintlock Fowlers" by Tom Grinslade. This fowler dates to about 1770-75. One of the most accomplished gunsmiths from Worcester County was Thomas Earle (1737-1819) from Leicester, Massachusetts. He was from an old and distinguished New England family. Earle was one of the few American gunsmiths that was capable of making his own high quality locks in the French manner. Earle was requested to build a fowler for George Washington, acknowledging his prominence as a major gunsmith. Tapered, rounded barrel with top flat, breech is decorated with shell motifs and an English style panel on top flat. Small, silver sight mounted towards muzzle. The flat lockplate has a recessed tail section decorated with shell and scroll designs; the center is inscribed "THOMAS/ EARLE" in block letters, cock also engraved with scrollwork. The brass furniture includes the classic cloud shaped flat sideplate used by Earle, which is decorated with shell designs and scrolls. Buttplate tang is decorated en suite. Trigger guard is in the French style and is engraved with a flower on the bow and terminates in an urn with an arrow finial at the front. The raised silver New England wrist escutcheon shows shell engraving and borders, but the cartouche is vacant. Full length sherry stock of classic New England form with wrist extending into butt. There are raised panels around the lock, sideplate, and trigger guard, and there is a relief foliate design in the classic Thomas Earle style around the barrel tang. The wooden ramrod with brass tip is a contemporary replacement. CONDITION: Barrel retains a spotted brown patina with some darker areas and some corrosion around touch-hole and at breech. Lock retains a heavy brown patina and appears to be in its original flintlock configuration. Markings are excellent. Brass retains a mellow, mustard patina and shows some light wear and scattered marks from use. Silver wrist escutcheon is unpolished. Buttstock shows a series of hairline cracks due to grain separation on the right side. Stock shows dark patina in protected areas with wear to carving around barrel tang and in front of trigger guard. There is one minor sliver of wood professionally replaced below lockplate and a couple minor slivers absent and replaced on left side along barrel. A very attractive and early signed New England fowler made by one of the best and most recognized New England makers. PROVENANCE: Purchased from Vernon Gunnion.
Caliber/Bore
.60 Smoothbore