This classic fullstock fowler is constructed in the style of John Phillip Beck - Lebanon township, Lancaster County Pennsylvania. John Philip Beck was the preeminent gunsmith in this region from the late 1770's until his death in 1811. Dr. George Shumway suggests that J.P. Beck's unique style of rifle architecture changed little over this period, unlike many other gunsmiths, during the golden age of the American longrifle. The design of this fowler is patterned from an antique example shown in Tom Grinslade's book, Flintlock Fowlers: The First Guns Made in America. The curly maple stock is stained to a dark brown and finished to a satin sheen. The brass furniture has a hand burnished appearance with a mellow patina. The octagon to round barrel and flintlock are both finished to a dark brown with a very light patina. The barrel is signed M. Wheland on the top flat. Trigger reach is 13-7/8" and the weight is 6.9 pounds.
This fowler is fitted with a 43-1/2" octagon-to-round barrel. The barrel is thickest at the breech, tapers to a sixteen flat transition to a single wedding band to round with very slight flare at the muzzle. The barrel is fitted with a small brass blade front sight soldered behind the muzzle. A low flat top rear sight is dovetailed 9" ahead of the breech, just behind the sixteen flat transition. The 20 gauge bore measures .625" diameter. We recommend our .595" pure lead round ball, patched with .015" Ox-Yoke patches, lubricated with Ox-Yoke Wonder Lube, for easy loading. We offer 19 gauge (.62 caliber) wads, cards, and shot for wing shooting.
The buttstock is fitted with a tall, gently curved buttplate to help spread the felt recoil over a large area. The comb of the buttplate has a short stepped English influenced comb. The buttplate is well fitted to the curly maple stock that has been stained to a dark brown with deep red undertone to best reveal the figure. The lock panels are neatly shaped to just frame the lock and give this fowler a very sleek appearance. .The lock panels taper widest at the rear in early long gun fashion. A panel of raised carved scrolls surrounds the flared tang of the breech plug. The carving has a well cleaned background. The bottom shows the rounded fowler style toe. The brass triggerguard is neatly shaped to match the antique example with a Fluer de Lys style finial and long grip rail with pointed teat. The graceful forend has a slight palm swell at the ramrod entry pipe. Three brass ramrod pipes with raised ring ends secure the 3/8" diameter tapered ramrod. The ramrod is fitted with a steel tip with 8-32 threads on the hidden end. A brass muzzlecap has been fit on the rifle to protect the end grain of the stock. The side panel is fitted with a brass sideplate with sweeping curves and a pointed tail.
The rifle is fitted with a Germanic influenced Robert Ditchburn J.P. Beck flint lock. Mr. Ditchburn was famous for his limited production flint locks, prized by shooters at Friendship, Indiana in the 1960's and 1970's. This small lock captures the styling used on many American longrifles. Most flint locks were imported from England or Europe, for use by American gunmakers. This Germanic style lock has panels pan and a pointed tail with a filed molding vertically across it. The frizzen spring is shaped with a decorative finial and inside mounted screw. Internally the lock is marked S.H. for Stan Hollenbaugh. The direct drilled vent hole is perfectly positioned, well above the bottom of the pan. A vent serves as a window, allowing the heat of the flash to be instantly transmitted to the main charge. It should not be located low in the pan, serving as a drain, where it will slow ignition, causing the classic "whoosh - bang" delay often associated with flint longrifles. With this geometry, ignition appears to have no such delay. The single trigger located below the lock has been properly pinned into position. Giving good leverage against the sear it breaks crisply and cleanly at a very light weight.
If you desire a attractive Revolutionary War period fowler, then consider this fine piece. The fowler has a bright bore. The furniture and lock have a light aged patina. The stock is well finished to a satin sheen and has none of the handling marks commonly associated with normal use. 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.
