J. BEAN SIGNED TENNESSEE STYLE FOWLER WITH J. DREPPERD LOCK

$1,495.00

Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 846-485

Shipping: Determined by Method & Location of buyer

To Order:
Call 717-334-0347,
Fax 717-334-5016, or E-mail

This interesting percussion fowler uses an early smoothbore, octagon-to-round barrel, about .62 caliber, measuring 44 ½ inches long, made with short flutes and a baluster ring at the transition. The percussion lock is marked in two lines, “Drepperd / Lancaster,” with a leafy plant engraved at the rear of the plate and floral elements on the hammer. There were a number of Drepperd (Dreppert) gunsmiths, but this is most likely John Drepperd, active in making locks in Lancaster 1820-1840. The wrist and butt stock of the rifle look a little thin for Pennsylvania and the barrel is signed “J. Bean,” which suggests it might be the product of the Bean family of gun makers from east Tennessee. There are a number of Beans with the first initial J. It could be John, who was active into the 1830s, but there are other possibilities. In any case the gun likely dates 1830-1850.

When he assembled the gun, the maker fitted the lockplate with two wonderfully crude flashguards, simple straight pieces at the front and rear of the nipple and the side lug. The rifle is stocked to the muzzle and fitted with a brass nose cap, two rammer thimbles and a rear entry pipe. The barrel is secured by keys. The other mounts are pinned. It has a very plain button-headed iron rammer. The lock screws rest on separate sideplate escutcheons that offer almost the only decorative touches: the forward escutcheon is worked with feathered edges flaring out behind and the rear escutcheon is engraved with feathery leaves at the ends of the long oval bottom. The brass triggerguard is recurved and fitted with a handrail. The ends of the tangs are notched three times across at the squared ends. The brass buttplate is crescent shaped with short squared off tang cut with two grooves.

The cheekpiece on the left has two incised lines near the lower edge, otherwise the wood is not carved or incised. The wood has a good fit. It shows only minor handling marks. The buttstock and forestock to the swell show deep color with nice graining and good edges to the lock apron and side flat. The forward portions of the forestock show slightly lighter with wear to the finish. There is a little bleaching and short burnout under the hammer from the percussion caps, but the surface of the metal is good and the wood is tight around the breechplug tang and breech. The mechanics are good.

This is a very interesting rifle, especially with the use of a plainly very early barrel.  [sr] [ph:L]

DISCLAIMER: All firearms are sold as collector's items only - we do not accept responsibility as to the shooting safety or reliability of any antique firearm. All firearms are described as accurately as possible, given the restraints of a catalog listing length. We want satisfied customers & often "under" describe the weapons. Any city or state regulations regarding owning antique firearms are the responsibility of the purchaser. All firearms are "mechanically perfect" unless noted, but again, are NOT warranted as safe to fire!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!

Inquire »

Inquire About J. BEAN SIGNED TENNESSEE STYLE FOWLER WITH J. DREPPERD LOCK

should be empty

featured item

RARE TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEER QUILL BACKED SABER BY WEYERSBERG AND HORSTMANN

This quill backed blade was made by the firm of Gebruder Weyersberg of Solingen, Prussia as evidenced by the king’s head mark stamped on the reverse ricasso. It was imported by Horstmann who then etched the blade and added the Model 1860 pattern… (870-333). Learn More »

Upcoming Events

23
Mar

Central PA Antique Arms Gun Show - March 25-26 Learn More »

Instagram