This classic fullstock flint 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. This nice replica of a John Philip Beck - Lebanon, Pennsylvania fowler is offered in as-new unfired condition. The curly maple stock has tight stripes running from butt to muzzle, is decorated with well executed carving, and is fitted with a sliding wood patchbox. The brass furniture is hand engraved and polished bright. The .54 caliber smoothbore Rice octagon-to-round barrel and Jim Chamber's deluxe Siler flintlock are both finished to a smooth chocolate brown. Weighing in at 8.2 pounds the fowler has a trigger reach of 13-1/4", ideal for todays shorter to average size shooter.

This fowler is fitted with a 38" long Rice octagon-to-round barrel. The .54 caliber (28 gauge) smoothbore has a .540" bore diameter and is bright, clean, and ready to shoot. The tapered octagon portion is 12-1/4" long, with a wedding band transition to round before tapering to the muzzle. Use lead shot in this 28 gauge barrel, for upland game, and clay targets. We strongly recommend the new Bismuth bird shot, which is legal for waterfowl, and is as simple to load as lead shot, and is safe in muzzle loading guns. We do not recommend loading steel shot. Load our .520 round ball, with appropriate patch thickness, for best round ball accuracy. The exterior of the barrel is finished to a smooth chocolate brown. A flat top rear sight is dovetailed 11-1/4" ahead of the breech. Shooters with corrective lenses or "older" eyes will find this extra distance from the breech easier to use. A browned iron blade front sight is dovetailed behind the muzzle.

The maple stock has tight curl running from butt to muzzle and was stained to a whiskey brown with golden undertones to best display the beautiful figure. We note a long mineral streak directly above the patchbox. The buttstock is fitted with a tall, nearly flat buttplate to help spread the felt recoil over a large area. The sliding wooden patchbox has been stained and finished to match the stock and the molded design of the patchbox is patterned from an antique J.P. Beck longrifle. Beneath the door is a deep cut cavity for storing shooting or cleaning accessories. A line of incised carving runs from the buttplate to the trigger creating a slimming effect along the toe line. The lock panels are neatly shaped with a raised molding and large beaver tail finial. The front edge of the comb is defined by a line of raised carving flows down into the wrist. The top view shows the panel of raised carved scrolls that surrounds the flared thumbnail tang of the breech plug. An engraved oval nickel silver inlay decorates the top of the wrist. The cheekpiece is tapered widest at the rear to recoil away from the shooter's face.

Our bottom view of the rifle shows that no toeplate has been fitted to help protect this delicate area of the stock. Instead the buttplate extends slightly past the stock to provide some protection to the toe. Forward the triggerguard has been pinned to the stock as is traditional on early longrifles. The bow is engraved with a floral design. Well ahead of the triggerguard and out of the picture the ramrod is held in place by two forward pipes and one entry pipe. A raised molding runs the length of the ramrod channel. A brass muzzlecap has been fit to protect the end grain of the stock. The 3/8" diameter wood ramrod has an iron tip with 8-32 threads for loading and cleaning accessories. The stock is shaped with raised carved scrolls that extend down the wrist ahead of the cheek. The square cheek is shaped with a molded edge and an engraved nickel silver hunter's star inlay decorates the center. Raised carved scrolls decorate the stock behind the cheek. The engraved brass sideplate is retained by two lock bolts that pass through the stock and engage the lock on the opposite side. The sideplate is shaped with the paneled front common to antique J.P. Beck antique longrifles.

Ignition is provided by this Jim Chambers' deluxe Siler flintlock. The lock has a Germanic influence with a paneled pan and pointed tail with a vertical molding. The flint cock and lock plate are hand engraved with a border and decorative scrolls. The lock plate is signed M. Compton and the bottom of the pan is engraved #143. The lock sparks very well when combined with our 3/4" flints. Notice the stainless vent liner that has been installed on the rifle. This vent 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 an attractive Revolutionary War period fowler, then consider this fine piece. In new condition, the bore is bright and the stock 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.