A fine specimen of an American smoothbore shoulder arm, a.k.a. the Pennsylvania-style fowler, this is a full stock flintlock fowling piece in excellent condition. Fowler is nicely embellished with brass and silver mountings that include a lightly tooled brass patch-box, sideplate, triggerguard, butt plate, nose cap, ramrod tubes or tunnels, and a front blade sight. Maker’s name appears on the top flat of the barrel but is hard to fully discern. We believe this handsome arm is the product of gunsmith G. H. Groce of Snyder County, Pennsylvania.

This long fowler, with its graceful lines and distinctive decorations, measures almost 62” in length and has a 47” long half-octagonal, half-round barrel with a bore. Iron barrel is mated to a handsome full length stock of hard maple secured via four silver pins, each of which are set within crescent-shaped, silver-inlaid escutcheons. However, the upper two pins are missing as well as one of the eight escutcheons. Else fine. This single trigger Pennsylvania fowler with its longer barrel and smaller bore was made in the middle to late 18^th century by German gunsmiths who settled in the Keystone State. Bore measures about .57 cal and has no rifling or twist and likely used a ‘buck and ball’ for hunting, protection and militia use.

The lockplate is 5” long and was made by “J. ROOP” which is marked in front of the cock or hammer. John Roop was a blacksmith in Noxamixon Township, Lehigh County in 1777. Lockplate has a thin line of tooling along its border and the flat hammer is lightly decorated, as is the frizzen. The wood full stock is in very good condition with no breaks, cracks or damage save for its share of dents and dings from age and use. Stock does have one small area of missing wood adjacent to the left of barrel tang. Typical Pennsylvania rifle stock has a high, 2” long cheek piece on left shoulder with a large crescent shape device carved above cheek. Appears to have had an inlay of silver or brass now missing.

Brass triggerguard measures 7” long and is slightly loose at the front end. All brass furniture wears a fine, mellow patina. Stock also has a simple, slightly carved ‘wing’ design behind cheek. Long barrel wears a pleasing brown / plum color and also shows area of light, pin prick rusting. A 1” long, silver, oval medallion is pinned to the top of wrist areas on stock. A plain, open rear sight sits on the lower barrel at 10” from the cock. Mechanics are strong. Fowler retains its straight-shank wood ramrod. This Pennsylvania flintlock fowler in great condition makes a handsome and valuable adder to any collection of Americana arms.  [RA]

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