May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
A handwritten letter accompanies the fowler and states that the writer purchased the fowler in 1968 from a family in Virginnes, Vermont. They said that it was in the rafters of the attic for as long as they could remember. On pages 96 and 97 of "The History of Weapons of the American Revolution by George C. Neumann, there is another fowler made by Hills and inscribed on the sideplate to "Leut. Thaddeus Cook". Both men were related and were from Cheshire and Wallingford, Connecticut. Munson Cook was born in 1762 in Wallingford, New Haven Connecticut. He died in 1848, and he is listed on the 1800 Federal Census in Rutland, Vermont. He is listed on several Revolutionary War rolls as a private in Lee's Regiment of the Vermont Militia. This Revolutionary War period fowler has been altered to a fusil with a bayonet lug added to the bottom, towards the muzzle. The fowler is attributed to famous New England maker John Hills. Although unsigned, his unique features make it easy to identify without question. For an example with this exact form, the same carving around the barrel tang, and a sideplate of this form, see plate NE42 on page 77 of "Flintlock Fowlers" by Tom Grinslade. Medad Hills and his brother, John Hills were prolific makers in Goshen, Connecticut. Shortly before the Revolutionary War, John Hills moved to Winchester, Connecticut, and stayed there until 1784. In Winchester in 1777, John was a member of the militia in Captain Hodges' Company. The fowler itself has a two-stage barrel with bayonet lug on bottom, near muzzle. The convex lockplate is marked "WILSON" in the center and is engraved with a halberd at the tail. The furniture includes a flat sheet brass sideplate inscribed "Munfon Cook", a buttplate with two-stage classic Hills buttplate, a crude teardrop-shaped unengraved wrist escutcheon, an American manufactured trigger guard in the British style, and not drilled for a sling swivel. Plain sheet brass ramrod ferrules. Figured tiger maple stock of classic New England form with a relief carved border and leaf design around the barrel tang. There is a period replaced section of wood at the toe on the left side. A crudely carved piece, showing a great amount of smoothing and honest wear from use. The piece is retained by three early hand-forged nails. Complete with iron ramrod replaced during its period of use. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark brown patina and shows some heavy corrosion at breech. Fowler was converted to percussion during its period of extended use. Lock retains a dark patina. Brass furniture retains a dark untouched patina. Stock retains an untouched surface with scattered minor chips, cracks and marks to use. Period initials "JSE" carved on right side of butt. Carving shows wear and ramrod entry ferrule is absent and was lost long ago, showing smoothing from use where ferrule once was. There is a long, tapered 10 - 1/2" replaced splinter stemming from the bottom of the front lock tang and tapering to the barrel. There is also a section of the forend towards the muzzle that is replaced, 19" on right and about 11" on left side. A binder of documentation accompanies the piece, including hand-written letters found in the muzzle, copies of original pay records and muster rolls for Munson Cook, and other relevant information on the Cook family. A very important documented and identified fowler made by a Revolutionary War soldier for another. A fine New England fowler. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.72 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
John Hills, Attributed
Paperwork
Folder of Provenance