3460

RARE CIRCA 1740 DUTCH FOWLER BY SLEUR OF

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 7,000.00 USD
RARE CIRCA 1740 DUTCH FOWLER BY SLEUR OF
AMSTERDAM. Cal. approx. 12 Ga. NSN. Bbl. 50 3/8". An exceptional, very early Dutch fowler by the noted Dutch gunsmith Clamer Hendrik Sleur, which was in all likelihood used in America. Sleur was born in 1700 in Halle, Germany. In 1725 he married Maria, the daughter of the gunsmith Jacob Hulk. Hulk was in his 60s at the time of the marriage so it is likely that Sleur took over or inherited the gun business from Hulk. The oct. to rnd. bbl. has a raised ridge at the top culminating 2" from the muzzle. There is a raised brass blade sight prior to the end of the ridge. Bbl. engraved approx. 4" up from the breech w/ foliate motifs. There are 2 proofs on the top of the bbl. & 1 on the left facet. One of the most interesting aspects of the entire gun is the fact that the lock is signed on the edge under the frizzen spring, “H. SLEUR”. The lock body as well as the hammer has engraved flourish decoration. The brass well formed trigger guard has finials on each end & lineal engraved decoration. The brass buttplate has intricate engraving on the top. There is a heavily embellished crowned brass escutcheon behind the bbl. tang at the wrist. The brass sideplate is also heavily engraved & shows pierced designs. There are brass ramrod thimbles & an entry thimble having lineal engraving & a single brass band at the nosecap. The stock is heavily embellished having primarily foliate carving behind the bbl. tang, in front of the trigger guard & behind the bbl. channel. There are raised areas of carving around the lock, sideplate & at the top of the wrist. Wooden ramrod. CONDITION: bbl. & lock have a dark, rich, early patina. The lock holds both full & half cock. The brass shows a deep mustard patina. The wood shows honest wear & a few cracks in the bbl. channel toward the muzzle. Ramrod appears quite early if not original. Fair bore. (01-18977/BF). ANTIQUE. $6,000-7,000.