Guns International #: 102540679

Category - Antique Rifles - Flintlock - Antiques

Category
Antique Rifles - Flintlock
Antiques

Westerly RI Silversmith Barton Stillman Signed Revolutionary War Era New England Club Butt Flintlock Fowler / Musket with 17th Century Lock

Description:
Rare & Fascinating Westerly, Rhode Island, Silversmith Barton Stillman Signed Revolutionary War Era Colonial New England Club Butt Flintlock Long Fowler/Musket with 17th Century Lock, .72 cal smoothbore, mfg. circa fourth quarter 18th century. This is a very interesting gun which shows a century and a half of progressive use and rebuild beginning about 1670 and concluding during the first quarter of the 19th century. Perhaps the gun's most intriguing feature is the presence of Westerly, Rhode Island silversmith & clockmaker Barton Stillman's hallmark stamped on the buttplate and lower tang. Barton Stillman was born in Westerly in 1791 to a well known family of silversmiths and jewelers and operated his own shop there until his untimely death in 1837. It is also apparent that he may have worked in Burlington, Connecticut for a brief period of time as well. Whether Stillman's mark on this gun represents repair work or personal ownership is unclear. A collector tag dated 2008 reads: "Stillman Fowler / Silversmith in Westerly R.I. his son was a Middletown Conn musket contractor in 1808. Fowler dates to 1775-1780 as witnessed by the 1670 gunlock used due to shortage of gun parts as a result of British embargo on such parts from 1774-1784" (musket contractor Ethan Stillman was a relative and Westerly native but not Barton's son). In my opinion the gun likely served as a musket during the American Revolution and was updated again for civilian use during the early Federal period. The unmarked barrel measures 48 1/4" long and the front sight appears to be a bayonet lug which was filed into a blade shape. Tang screw is a 20th century replacement. The three-screw lock is extremely early circa 1670 and excepting for a dog catch removed early on remains completely original. Cock, top jaw & screw, frizzen, pan, feather spring, and screws are all original. It looks Dutch to me but the Fleur de Lys engraved at the tail may suggest French influence. The touch hole has been enlarged during the gun's working life but is otherwise unaltered (i.e. not converted). Overall the metal has a smooth mottled plum/gray patina. The stock features a fluted cub butt with coarsely checkered round wrist and evidence of a beavertail motif carved around the barrel tang which has been omitted with a clamshell carved in it's place. There are two tightly secured diagonal cracks on the right side of the forearm and one on the left (cracks not splices). The last 6" of the forearm has been replaced, or added, at a diagonal splice during the gun's later years of usage. Taking note of the lug style front sight this bolsters the theory that the gun was once in musket form with the stock cut back able to accept a bayonet. Overall the wood retains a pleasing worn untouched appearance with minor loss along some edges, and old chip near the tip of the buttplate tang, a stable crack around the middle lock screw, and a block of lead used to replace an old chip in the typical spot behind the cock. Brass buttplate is of military style with slimmed tang stamped "B.STILLMAN". Simple American made brass triggerguard has rivited repair on lower tang and is again stamped "B.STILLMAN". Brass teardrop lock screw escutcheons with Brown Bess ramrod entry pipe and turned American made military style second and third pipes. Original forged iron ramrod. The lock does function properly holding half and full cock and releasing under tension. The being said it is a bit stiff and sluggish which I think is to be expected given it's age. The frizzen has some play but shuts and opens properly under moderate spring tension (again it's 350 years old!). A wonderful piece of early New England history that really looks impressive over the mantle! Jeremiah Johnson Trading sells antique arms manufactured prior to 1899 and muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions only. For the purpose of these conditions the term "antique arms" will also include muzzleloading blackpowder reproductions. Buyers must be 21 years of age or older and have no felony convictions to purchase antique arms. Antique arms do not require Federal licensing and may be shipped directly to the buyer with the following exceptions. No antique arms will be shipped to Washington D. C. or any of the five boroughs of New York City (or residents thereof). Some restrictions may apply to antique firearms shipped to California and will be noted in the item description if applicable. Any antique arms shipped to New Jersey must ship to a licensed FFL holder, no exceptions. Any muzzleloading blackpowder reproduction rifle, shotgun, or handgun shipped to Illinois must ship to an FFL holder. Items containing antique ivory will not be sold or shipped to residents of California, Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, or Washington. Antique muzzleloaders and antiques which fire obsolete cartridges may be shipped internationally however it is the responsibility of the buyer to know and abide by their local laws and provide proof that the antique arm is legal to receive and own. Payment can be made by money order, banker's check, personal check, credit card (no additional fees), or bank wire. Please allow 7-10 business days for clearance on personal checks. If paying by credit card please call us directly to process your order. Items are professionally packed and shipped USPS Priority Mail with insurance coverage for the sale price and signature required for delivery. Items valued over $5,000.00 are shipped Registered Mail. Buyer pays actual shipping costs with no added charge for packing materials or handling. We describe items accurately and thoroughly. If an item has been misrepresented or significant defect overlooked you may return it for a full refund (minus return shipping costs) within 3 days of having received it. This timeframe begins once the package is delivered by the carrier. Buyer's remorse or concerns over issues noted in the description and/or pictures is not a valid excuse for return. Returned items must be received in the same condition as originally shipped - cleaning, disassembly, alteration, or damage of any kind will void inspection privileges. Occasionally a post-1898 firearm from my personal collection may be sold under this account and any such transaction is a personal sale in no way affiliated with Jeremiah Johnson Trading. Any such arm will be shipped to a licensed FFL or C&R holder in accordance with Federal law. All antique arms are sold as collector's items and are not warranted safe for shooting. Please consult a competent gunsmith prior to shooting any firearm.

SOLD

Antique: Yes
Model: Club Butt Fowler / Musket
Barrel Length: 48 1/4
Manufacture Date: Circa 4th quarter 18