This fowling piece or fowler from c. 1760s-1770s has no visible maker's marks, but the interior of the scroll engraved English style lock is marked "B-HOMER." Benjamin Homer (1731-1776) and his son Benjamin Perrott Homer (born 1761) were merchants in Boston per Smith and Bitter in "Historic Pistols: The American Martial Flintlock, 1760-1845." They note: "A number of New England and upstate New York fowlers are known with B. Homer imported locks." The proofs on the barrel are somewhat unclear but appear to be the early Birmingham private proof and view marks. These long smoothbore hunting guns were popular in the northern colonies during the late colonial era and into the American Revolutionary War and doubled as service weapons for many militiamen. Some where shortened and modified to take bayonets. This gun has a low rounded brass blade front sight and a groove cut at the breech for a rear sight. The furniture is brass and has some nice early styling, including the trigger guard which has spear shaped finials and a rounded profile. The stock has very nice flame figure, particularly in the forend, and has a somewhat straighter and lighter profile than the earlier fowlers and fine molding that flows into the raised relief carved floral patterns at the ramrod entry point, barrel tang, and rear of the trigger guard as well as nicely shaped flats with rounded points. George Moller's small "GDM" collection mark is by the toe. Provenance: The George Moller Collection

Good as reconverted to flintlock configuration with dark brown patina and applied finish on the barrel, dark gray and brown patina on the lock, aged patina on the brass furniture, and mild overall wear. The stock is fine and has beautiful flame figure, 12 1/2 inch section spliced at the front of the forend, repaired crack in the butt, some other discreet repairs, minor chips and flakes around the lock mortise edges, and general mild dings and scratches. The carving and engraving remain mostly distinct aside from smoothing from handling on the forend. The lock will drop from half-cock but functions fine.