EXCEPTIONALLY FINE MID-EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 16 BORE FLINTLOCK FOWLER BY W. ARDEN.

EXCEPTIONALLY FINE MID-EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 16 BORE FLINTLOCK FOWLER BY W. ARDEN. SN NSN. Cal. 16 Bore. 39″ Round swamped bbl with ovate section at breech, showing some scroll engraving, is marked “Birmingham”. Left side has very early London view and provisional proofs, with makers mark “W.A”. Front sight is silver raised relief head of a bearded gnome whose nose forms the bead. 6″ Lock with filed in beaded edge has tall serpentine cock, unusual semi-waterproof pan with drain hole, and bridled friction frizzen with long frizzen spring, which has filed acanthus finial. Lock is fitted with rear sliding safety that engages at half cock. Makers name “W. Arden” is on center of lockplate surrounded by elongated scroll. (William Arden working in the Minories in 1762 as listed in Blackmore.) Trigger plate supports curled trigger with filed decoration. Double beaded iron trigger guard extends to relief acanthus and floral carved finial. Steel buttplate with long broad top tang has stylized sea serpent engraving along with attenuated scroll. Other furniture is of silver, with very fine crest plate at top of grip with relief carved shell, scrolled acanthus with floral terminations, and grotesque head with protruding tongue. Pierced, un-hallmarked silver side plate continues the theme of relief acanthus with central oval engraved “Molesworth July 9th 1756”. Dense European walnut full length stock with deeply fluted comb has nicely shaped beads around lock and sideplate with ovoid drop points, and stylized relief carved acanthus around tang of breech iron. Stock is further embellished with exceptionally well executed silver wire inlay continuing the shell, floral, and acanthus motif. Bbl attaches to forend with two broad side nails. Iron tipped ramrod mounts through 3 beaded pipes. PROVENANCE: Ex. Keith Neal Coll. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl and other iron parts are cleaned to bright polish, which has toned back somewhat. Silver shows excellent detail. Stock appears to have its orig finish, which has been oiled and maintained over the years, and has a wonderful warm glow. Stock is very sound, all mortises intact and tight with a few marks and dents overall. Two very minor areas on left side of bbl channel have splintered away. Silver wire inlay is excellent, with no noticeable losses. Lock and frizzen are crisp. Bore is bright and shiny, but shows evidence of one or 2 minor pits toward muzzle. A truly lovely museum quality piece. 4-42631 MGM174 (10,000-15,000)

Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011

Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

Image	Lot	Price	Description
	1443A	$0.00	EXCEPTIONALLY FINE MID-EIGHTEENTH CENTURY 16 BORE FLINTLOCK FOWLER BY W. ARDEN. SN NSN. Cal. 16 Bore. 39″ Round swamped bbl with ovate section at breech, showing some scroll engraving, is marked “Birmingham”. Left side has very early London view and provisional proofs, with makers mark “W.A”. Front sight is silver raised relief head of a bearded gnome whose nose forms the bead. 6″ Lock with filed in beaded edge has tall serpentine cock, unusual semi-waterproof pan with drain hole, and bridled friction frizzen with long frizzen spring, which has filed acanthus finial. Lock is fitted with rear sliding safety that engages at half cock. Makers name “W. Arden” is on center of lockplate surrounded by elongated scroll. (William Arden working in the Minories in 1762 as listed in Blackmore.) Trigger plate supports curled trigger with filed decoration. Double beaded iron trigger guard extends to relief acanthus and floral carved finial. Steel buttplate with long broad top tang has stylized sea serpent engraving along with attenuated scroll. Other furniture is of silver, with very fine crest plate at top of grip with relief carved shell, scrolled acanthus with floral terminations, and grotesque head with protruding tongue. Pierced, un-hallmarked silver side plate continues the theme of relief acanthus with central oval engraved “Molesworth July 9th 1756”. Dense European walnut full length stock with deeply fluted comb has nicely shaped beads around lock and sideplate with ovoid drop points, and stylized relief carved acanthus around tang of breech iron. Stock is further embellished with exceptionally well executed silver wire inlay continuing the shell, floral, and acanthus motif. Bbl attaches to forend with two broad side nails. Iron tipped ramrod mounts through 3 beaded pipes. PROVENANCE: Ex. Keith Neal Coll. CONDITION: Very fine. Bbl and other iron parts are cleaned to bright polish, which has toned back somewhat. Silver shows excellent detail. Stock appears to have its orig finish, which has been oiled and maintained over the years, and has a wonderful warm glow. Stock is very sound, all mortises intact and tight with a few marks and dents overall. Two very minor areas on left side of bbl channel have splintered away. Silver wire inlay is excellent, with no noticeable losses. Lock and frizzen are crisp. Bore is bright and shiny, but shows evidence of one or 2 minor pits toward muzzle. A truly lovely museum quality piece. 4-42631 MGM174 (10,000-15,000) Auction: Firearms - Fall 2011 Please Note: All prices include the hammer price plus the buyer’s premium, which is paid by the buyer as part of the purchase price. The prices noted here after the auction are considered unofficial and do not become official until after the 46th day.

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