This highly attractive long barreled flintlock fowling gun has London hallmarks, including the "f" date code for 1781 and the "MB" silversmiths mark of Michael Barnett on the inside of the trigger guard bow and on the buttplate. The gun is listed on pages 177 and 178 of "Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790: The History of John Twigg and the Packington Guns" by W. Keith Neal and D. H. L. Back and described as a "Duck-gun with silver mounts hall-marked for 1781" from the "N. Blank, U.S.A." collection. It is also referenced in the Bernard Dickens article "M.B: The Gunmaker's Silversmith: A Question of Attribution" from "The Journal of the Arms & Armour Society," Vol XVI, No. 2 from March 1999. The gun was originally manufactured c. 1781 and was later converted to percussion in the 19th century by fitting a percussion hammer and re-breeching the barrel. The Damascus, Spanish-form barrel has a silver "spider" front sight and no visible markings. The flat, beveled edge lock is signed "Twigg" (third form) and has a stepped tail. The mounts are silver and include some light border and foliate engraving, and the buttplate has the initials "TIC" in ornate script. The walnut half-stock has a horn forend cap, raised shell carving around the standing breech, and diamond and dot checkering on the wrist. The wood ramrod has a brass tip and a covered worm. Provenance: The Everett Collection; Jackson Arms; The Norman R. Blank Collection

Very good with nearly all of the refinished brown remaining on the barrel along with distinct Damascus patterns and some oxidation, smooth gray and brown patina on the breech and lock, minor pitting, aged patina on the silver mounts, one escutcheon absent, distinct designs, and mild wear. The refinished stock is also very good and has distinct checkering and carving, minor scratches and dings, and some minor cracks. Mechanically fine.