Fowler
Object number2014.45.8
Manufacturer
John Bender
Datec. 1784
OriginPA
MediumWood/Metal/Brass
Credit LineGift of Bayer Corporation
DescriptionTiger maple wood and brass fowler. Curved brass butt plate attached to the butt stock with a screw on the back of the butt plate. Brass trigger guard curved backward and attached to the bottom of the butt stock. Lock plate dark grey/black and pointed on the back end. The forestock runs the length of the barrel and is attached with barrel pins. The forestock is capped at the end with a brass plate. The ram rod is attached to the forestock with two brass loops and a brass plate. The opposite side of the firing mechanism has a decorative brass plate with two flat head screws in it. Inscription on top of barrel. Brass plate included with gun includes inscriptions. White mark on right side of forestock.Dimensions8.75 x 2.25 x 62.75 in. (22.2 x 5.7 x 159.4 cm)InscriptionsPlate: "JOHN BENDER" "CIRCA 1784 / LANCASTER COUNTY".
Marks"J Bender."
Historical NotesPart of a collection of Pennsylvania-Kentucky rifles that hung in Bayer's headquarters and documented the work of gun makers from various areas of Pennsylvania. Each rifle reflects the style of its particular maker and his school. The name Kentucky rifle is a generic term for guns made in muzzle loaders, hence the term Pennsylvania-Kentucky rifles. These particular firearms show the evolution of firearms development in Pennsylvania from earlier German, English, and French styles of rifle making. The earliest ones originate in Lancaster County and then spread west through the Pennsylvania counties.
Terms
On View
Not on view
