October 30, 2019 The Collection of Steve & Marcy Hench
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/30/2019
This fowler is featured as gun KF2 on page 201 of "Flintlock Fowlers: The First Guns Made in America" by Tom Grinslade. The gun dates circa 1780 and is attributed to George Frederick Fainot because of his trademark sideplate, which shows French influence. Fainot was a French immigrant who was trained in Europe before working in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was born in France in 1728 near the Swiss border and originally immigrated to Quebec, Canada. He later moved to the Hudson Valley before he arrived in Lancaster in 1770 and worked for about 40 years on North Queen St. In 1779, he supplied rifles to the Continental Army, according to "The Lancaster Long Rifle" by Hornberger and Kolar. The round barrel has sights mounted on top and three rings at the breech, appears to be of American manufacture. The flat lockplate has a single line border and is marked "KETLAND & CO." in the center. The brass furniture includes a buttplate with a three stage tang, a trigger guard in the French style with Acanthus leaf finial, brass ramrod ferrules, nose cap, and rounded sideplate showing French influence. Full length walnut stock of European form with wrist extending into butt. Relief carved panels around lock, sideplate, and more ornate carving around ramrod entry ferrule, and behind barrel tang. There is also relief carving in front of the lock extending into the forend on both sides. Other than the architecture, the carving is more reminiscent of his work in the Hudson Valley. CONDITION: Barrel retains a brown patina with some applied finish. Lock replaced but in original flintlock configuration with a dark, heavy patina, top jaw screw replaced. Brass furniture is polished and shows some wear, scattered casting flaw, and marks from use. Stock has a dark finish and has a few slivers replaced around lockplate, and a few minor slivers along the forend. A very attractive and early Lancaster fowler. PROVENANCE: Richard "Dick" Cowles.
Caliber/Bore
.52 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
George Frederick Fainot, Attributed