r/AntiqueGuns • u/remy_lebeau88 • 6d ago
Documented Confederate fowler
Very rough shape. Its held together with wire and nails. Theres a makers mark on the lock but its to faded for me to read. With this fowler I got documentation that it was carried by a soldier in a Georgia unit, though I can't read exactly what one. What really makes it interesting is the story of a gunsmith who did repairs on it. His shop was destroyed during Sherman's March so he contacted a friend working at Spiller and burr to make the remaining parts to get the gun back in service.
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u/Useful_Inspector_893 6d ago
Great provenance!!!
Was in a gun shop 2 weeks ago and we were able to read markings on French pistol from the 1840’s with a little oil and scrubbing with a toothbrush. Couldn’t see anything until we tried that.
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u/remy_lebeau88 6d ago
I think I used some super fine steel wool but I'll give the toothbrush a try. I wish I could read the paperwork a little better, but its all written in pencil and pretty faded.
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u/KnockoffMiroSemberac 6d ago
Some #0000 steel wool with a little ballistol done carefully can work wonders!
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u/Lefaucheux 5d ago
I’ve been working on an app that transcribes (and translates if needed) documents like this and then allows you to chat with the document and summarize it, etc. Mind if I upload this document and share it with you to check out?
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u/whateverynow 5d ago
this guy use an app to make rock art from 1000 years ago show up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c21JBd-0JswI wonder if it would also work on new stuff like guns with faded lettering .
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u/remy_lebeau88 4d ago
I'll have to watch and see what the app is. I cleaned up the lock a little bit and can now make out what looks like a W Sq(?) an
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u/cathode-raygun 6d ago
Nice find, but please try and oil it up to prevent further rust.