A RARE COLONIAL/REVOLUTIONARY WAR PERIOD NEW ENGLAND LONG FOWLER, ATTRIBUTABLE to PHINEAS SAWYER of HARVARD, MASS., ca. 1770: In overall very good untouched original flintlock condition. The round to round, long, pin-fastened, unsigned, American-made, 53″, smoothbore, .67 caliber barrel with a smooth, untouched, chocolate brown, steel surfaces and a fine wedding band transition. Graceful and early, New England form, Colonial-made, Cherry-wood? fullstock of classic Fowler design with a pronounced drop to the wrist and a deeply fluted comb, on the butt-stock. Colonial-American manufactured, lightly engraved, brass furniture: the pin-fastened buttplate with an engraved, long, stepped tang, (3) sheet-brass ramrod pipes, an engraved openwork rifle-type sideplate and an acorn finial trigger-guard with a lightly engraved bow. Scroll engraved, unmarked American-made lock with flat surfaces, a bridled powder-pan and a matching reinforced hammer. The engravings and overall styling of the lock and gun is identical to other fowlers made by the noted 18th century Gunsmith: Phineas Sawyer of Harvard, Mass (1743-1820) (Please see Frank Sellers: “American Gunsmiths”, pg. 265 & Tom Grinslade’s: “Flintlock Fowlers…”, pg. 60-63). In overall very good untouched original flintlock condition with expected wear and signs of use. The barrel exhibits an even, smooth, brown age-patina with a fine touch hole and retains an original musket-ball stuck in the bore (slight swell): the barrel-tang with a chipped finial and filled repair. The lock with matching surfaces, some scattered discoloration and pitting: weak mainspring. Very Good stock with 85%+ finish, sharp contours, some scattered handling marks, abrasions, several tight hairlines and an old missing chip on the left side of fore-end-tip: noted old repair at the tang. In overall very good untouched original flintlock condition. Richly toned, untouched, brass hardware with a fine mustard age patina. Original? plain wooden ramrod, en suite. Overall length, 69″. A fine and original length Colonial American-Made Fowler, by the noted Colonial Era Gunsmith, Phineas Sawyer. The type of arm which very likely saw military service in the French & Indian and/or American Revolutionary War. For similar examples, please see G. C. Neumann’s: “Battle Weapons of the American Revolution”, pg. 163, 164, 165 & 166. & Grinslade’s: “Flintlock Fowlers…” .
Images and description courtesy of Paul’s Antique Arms & Armour at: http://www.ambroseantiques.com/flongarms.htm