This antique European fowler appears to have Germanic origins. The walnut stock has a checkered wrist and scattered handling marks from decades of use. The stock has raised carving around the tang and a cheek piece for a right hand shooter. The triggerguard has been replaced with a modern brass triggerguard. The lock has been reconverted to flintlock. The .59 caliber smoothbore is dark and rough. Trigger reach is 13-1/4 inches, weight is 5 pounds.
This fowler features a 33-3/4" tapered octagon barrel. The barrel's smooth bore measures .59" diameter is dark with scattered pitting. The barrel has a silvery gray patina. A small brass blade front sight is mounted into the barrel 1-3/4" behind the muzzle. No rear sight is installed on this fowler. The barrel appears to be signed D. Schrimm in Ottenbach. The flared thumbnail tang of the breech plug has a single tang bolt that passes through the stock to engage the trigger plate below. Two steel pins and the swivel retain the barrel to the forearm.
Stocked in European walnut, finished with a reddish undertone, the stock has numerous pressure dents and scratches from a century of use The wrist is checkered and flows back to the Monte Carlo style comb line. The steel buttplate has a short stepped rounded comb, and we note the buttplate stands proud of the stock due to wood shrinkage. The bottom view shows the rounded toe of the buttstock. The brass triggerguard is a modern replacement and has been pinned to the stock. The rear swivel post is mounted the belly of the stock, it is missing the swivel. The forward sling swivel is mounted through the forearm and rests against the middle ramrod ramrod pipe. The wooden ramrod passes through two iron ramrod pipes and wood entry pipe with carved decorative skirt. The forend has a replaced wood section above the ramrod entry pipe. The ramrod is fitted with a flared horn tip. The stock has no muzzle cap and the stock is cut back about 1" from the muzzle. The large raised oval cheek flows back from the comb line of the buttstock and provides a comfortable rest when aiming this fowler. The side panel is fitted with two steel sideplates to support the lock bolts.
The flintlock has been reconverted with a modern replacement cock assembly, pan, frizzen and frizzen spring. The lock is polished bright with some areas of patina. Engraving is lightly visible on the pointed tail of the lock. A large vent liner has been fitted to the barrel and the breech has been draw filed bright to drill the liner flush with the barrel. The single trigger has a heavier than expected trigger pull.
This antique European fowler has been fitted with modern replacement parts. This fowler will look good hanging above the fireplace of your cabin or decorating the wall of your hunting lodge. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
