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Wheeler & Son London Flintlock Full Stock Chief Grade Fowling Piece

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Firearms & Armory Start Price:4,250.00 USD Estimated At:8,500.00 - 11,000.00 USD
Wheeler & Son London Flintlock Full Stock Chief Grade Fowling Piece
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Wheeler & Son London Flintlock Full Stock Chief Grade Fowling Piece

The lock plate is marked "WHEELER/& SON" followed by a crown proof ahead of the hammer with a broad arrow engraving at the rear. The hammer has a floral engraving. The top of the barrel flat is marked "LONDON" with a "crown/GR" proof on the left barrel flat. The side plate, trigger guard, flat buttplate and ramrod pipes are brass. A board arrow engraving is featured on the side plate, trigger guard and buttplate tang. Mounted on a full length stock with a silver wrist medallion featuring the relief image of an Indian mounted behind the barrel tang. The broad arrow engraving and silver stock ornament are characteristics of chief grade guns manufactured by the British for use in the New World. According to author Charles Hanson in the book THE NORTHWEST GUN, "It is believed that many of these guns were distributed to allied tribes in the years just preceding the War of 1812" (page 54) Unlike trade guns used for barter, these guns were "diplomatic weapons" and "articles of persuasion" used by the British government in their effort to claim the New World. A similar wrist medallion is pictured in THE NORTHWEST GUN on page 83.

Manufucture: Wheeler & Son
Model: Flintlock
BBL: 36 inch part octagon
Stock: walnut
Guage: 20
Finish: brown/casehardened
Grips:
Serial Number: NSN

Fair. The barrel and lock plate have a smooth dark mottled patina. The lock has replacement screws. The repaired/refinished stock is good with a couple hairline cracks and some minor handling marks.