DESCRIPTION: Fine double barrel percussion fowler by Paul Ebert in Suhl, Prussia. Gauge: 2 x 20. A fowler is a muzzle-loading smoothbore shotgun designed to fire a number of pellets at one time. Fowlers were used throughout centuries for hunting small games, especially birds. The gun maker Paul Ebert is listed in Suhl circa 1830-44. Paul Ebert was famous for manufacturing the top quality hunting guns. Ebert's highest quality guns were manufactured only in very limited numbers on the European aristocracy and royal families orders. The fowler features 31.75 inch long twist barrels with gold inlaid foresight, gunsmith's signature and breech. Engraved and gold inlaid locks. Intrically engraved, chiseled and gold inlaid hammers. Sliding safeties. Engraved and gold inlaid mounts. Beautiful half stock with steel buttplate. The latter also shows some engraving and some gold inlays. There is a cheek-piece on the left side of the buttstock. Very nice diamond checkering at the wrist of the stock. Steel trigger guard with beautifully engraved hunting scenes and with some gold inlays. Original ramrod. There are no markings on the barrels under the stock. High quality of machining and metal finish! Overall length is 47.25 inch. The barrels length is 31.75 inch. A beautiful fowler from the best period in German gun making! CONDITION: Excellent. 90% of browning finish is still on metal. Occasional light patina (mainly on the trigger guard and lock plates). Excellent bores. No dents in tubes. Strong and smooth action. Mechanically the gun is in excellent condition, as well. All the internal parts of the fowler are in excellent condition, with no visible wear. Minor wear to gold inlays. Beautiful stock shows minor handling marks. The right side of the buttstock has some small scratches. Crisp checkering at the wrist. The stock was cleaned and refurbished a long time. This is typical for all European hunting guns, some of them were cleaned, or refurbished after the end of every hunting season. The right side of the forestock shows a high quality repair with a small block of wood nicely replaced, just above the front part of the lockplate (please, see pictures). The buttstock sling swivel is a modern replacement. Beautiful German double barrel percussion fowler by one of the best Prussian gun makers! Antique.
