Antique, Percussion Fowler, Boston, “The Last American Long Fowler”, Fine Condition
William Read, Boston, Massachusetts, circa 1840-1850
A special-order late percussion long fowler, 52-inch barrel, .65-Caliber, Cherry stock

The gun was very little used, the barrel retains 98% original brown; overall, 100% original,
missing one chip of wood at the muzzle along left side of channel which we can have restored.
This fowler is undecorated with only a simple silver thumb piece, all brass furniture including a
nice engraved brass trigger guard with long tangs and a brass trigger. Signed on the lightly
engraved lock, “WILLIAM READ / BOSTON” Magnificent front sight in the 18th century style set
far back from the muzzle. Original aged ramrod – it has been in position so long that all the
sections covered by the ferrules have not faded. The octagonal to round barrel with unusual
tapering flat continuing to muzzle is made of two pieces. The likely reason for this is that at the
time of manufacture no barrel maker was offering stock of this length; to facilitate the length
requested by his customer, William Read had to fabricate the barrel in two pieces. Super fine
condition mechanically and aesthetically. This gun was in no doubt been used for waterfowl
hunting in the marshy areas around Boston.

$6,950.00

( 308-496 ) [LRL17-044]