Thomas Fowler
Gunmaker
14 Capel Street
Dublin
(Period 1801-1805)
Henry Nock Patent Breech.
" The Advantage arising from this New Constructed Breeching is that the Powder taking Fire in A., Throws the shot in a more perfect Direction & with greater Velocity they do not Kick & after Firing Twenty or Thirty Shots loose (sic) very little of their Force in comparison with Guns of the Old plan. - Duelling Pistols Engaged to hit Point Blank at a proper Distance"
This format of trade label was used by at least two other Dublin gunmaker's namely, Nicholas Clarke and John Silk. Henry Nock having put in place a very good marketing strategy whereby
he may well have supplied the copperplates with the section and elevation already engraved and then the individual gunmaker's employed their own engraver to add the text. It is unlikely
that the text was already added as on one other sample the word "loose" is corrected to "lose"
However, the wording may well have been drafted by the inventor and supplied with the copperplate. A very good marketing tool for the period.
Known trading dates and addresses.
1795-1800 | 121 Capel Street |
1801-1805 | 14 Capel Street |
1806-1811 | 18 Capel Street |
1812-1824 | 29 Capel Street |
1825 | 33 Capel Street |
|
Thomas Fowler originally listed by M.S. Dudley Westropp, MRIA.
Journal Arms & Armour Society, 1957.
Vol.11. No 1.
We are always pleased to know of any guns/pistols produced by this gunmaker and in particular
other Irish gunmakers using this format of trade card/label.
Dave Stroud ramrodantiques.co.uk
Mr. Stroud, I have acquired a Thomas Fowler Dublin black powder muzzleloader in very good condition. Could you give me an idea of the value? Please feel free to contact me at Anita.mullinax@yahoo.com. Thank you!
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