doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Need help with Double Barrel Fowler identification

Hey guys, my name is Tony. I just signed up today, and I really enjoy the site. I could really use some help. I refinish guns, and I received a stock as part of a payment for some work I did, and I can not find any information what so ever on it. It is a double barrel percussion muzzleloader stock with both locks, trigger guard, and metal butt plate. One of the triggers was broke off, but everything else is there. I am pretty sure its a fowler due to the stock and trigger guard. I did find makers marks on the percussion locks.
On the right is "PHILADELPHIA". On the left side is "BOWLBY & BRENNUIL". Now, the last 3 letters, "UIL", are not clear and may be wrong. I have done lots of research and can not find anything at all. I am attaching the pictures. Thank you in advance for any help.

GEORGE WASHINGTON BOWLBY the son of George and Anna Bowlby, born 28 January, 1823, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. He died 5 February, 1878, at 54. He was a gunsmith by occupation. He died of ulcers of the liver in Pontiac, Michigan. He left a widow, Catherine.

He seems to show up in Philadelphia about the age of 25.

In 1863 the only things of value that he owned were a carriage and a gold watch.

He held patent 64941 for a breechloading rifle, May 21, 1867. He was in Pontiac at this time.

http://www.google.com/patents?id=wn4AAAA...p;q&f=false

I have nothing on the other name.

This gun obviously predates the Bowlby patent.

Pete

OK, I found something very intresting. I think the marking may be "BOWLBY & BRENNER". Could the locks or the whole gun be from a hardware store? I found this information:
1851 Philadelphia Quarterly paper: BOWLBY & BRENNER Importers of and Dealers in Foreign and Domestic Hardware and Cutlery No 41 Market st north side below 2d street Philadelphia
From what I can gather, it was Bowlby & Weavers Hardware in the early 1800's.
Could it be a Percussion lock refitting with their brand of locks?
Again, thanks for any help.

Bowlby and Brenner had a contract with the Navy in 1850. They supplied hardware, ie nails, hinges, etc.

It was usual during this period for gunsmith's to offer conversions from flintlock to percussion. This continued for some time. Without the complete gun it is impossible to tell.

Pete

Pete, thank you for your help. I have found the Navy records for the store. I wish I could find a catalog from the store. I think it would really help. What really gets me, is I have yet to find another example of these locks, with those markings. I am thinking of restoring it. It all depends if it sells or not this week. If it doesn't then I am going to start on it.
Is there anywhere else on the stock that I can get any information? Behind the locks, or under the trigger guard, or behind the butt plate maybe? I did find what looks to be the letters H and A in the center groove that would be covered up by the barrels. Again, thank you in advance for any help you can give me.

Ok, I pulled off the trigger guard, percussion locks, and triggers off the stock looking for more clues. I found 2 proof marks on the back of the locks. I am attaching the picture of the one mark, but I cant get the 2nd mark to come out clear on the picture. The second mark is a very fancy currsive R with a crown inerwoven on top of the R.
Thank you for any help.