identify fenton firearm and any relevent information

g-balbie · September 3, 2001, 11:55 AM

Hello, my son has an old weopon that appears to be some sort of blunderbuss or shot firing gun. It is a percussion type, with a eight sided at the base barrel that becomes cylinderical as it approches the end of the barrel.The stock locks like beechwood and is full length and is easily removed. The gun has three distinc parts; barrel, hammer ignition area and the stock. There are two proof marks on the unexposed side of the barrel. The trigger guard is one piece and covered in the same ornate scroll as the butt plateand side plates. The name"FENTON" appears on the right side plate. The gun came with a loading rod and aiming device, both missing, however the retaining devices are still present. The barrel is attached by two slide pins and the trigger guard is slid forward into the stock and then retained by a screw at the rear. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Greg Balbier

James K · September 5, 2001, 10:34 PM

I have done some lookup on that name and can find nothing. Fenton may have been the maker or may have been a retailer. At one time, it was common for even small hardware stores to order guns and have their name put on them, so that is what may have happened here.

If you are not familiar with muzzle loading shotguns, please have someone check to make sure it is not loaded. Old rifles are not often found loaded, but shotguns were kept handy with only the caps removed for safety. As time went on, the old folks who knew the gun was loaded passed on and the family kept the old gun, not knowing of the possible danger.

Jim

g-balbie · September 5, 2001, 11:39 PM

Thanks for your help and safety tip. Greg

September 3, 2001, 11:55 AM	#1
g-balbie Junior Member Join Date: September 3, 2001 Posts: 2	identify fenton firearm and any relevent information Hello, my son has an old weopon that appears to be some sort of blunderbuss or shot firing gun. It is a percussion type, with a eight sided at the base barrel that becomes cylinderical as it approches the end of the barrel.The stock locks like beechwood and is full length and is easily removed. The gun has three distinc parts; barrel, hammer ignition area and the stock. There are two proof marks on the unexposed side of the barrel. The trigger guard is one piece and covered in the same ornate scroll as the butt plateand side plates. The name"FENTON" appears on the right side plate. The gun came with a loading rod and aiming device, both missing, however the retaining devices are still present. The barrel is attached by two slide pins and the trigger guard is slid forward into the stock and then retained by a screw at the rear. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thank You, Greg Balbier

September 5, 2001, 11:39 PM	#3
g-balbie Junior Member Join Date: September 3, 2001 Posts: 2	fenton Thanks for your help and safety tip. Greg

September 5, 2001, 10:34 PM	#2
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	I have done some lookup on that name and can find nothing. Fenton may have been the maker or may have been a retailer. At one time, it was common for even small hardware stores to order guns and have their name put on them, so that is what may have happened here. If you are not familiar with muzzle loading shotguns, please have someone check to make sure it is not loaded. Old rifles are not often found loaded, but shotguns were kept handy with only the caps removed for safety. As time went on, the old folks who knew the gun was loaded passed on and the family kept the old gun, not knowing of the possible danger. Jim