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Detail 1

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The American Revolution (1775-1783) and its participants quickly attained almost mythic status. Americans actively sought to preserve objects associated with the war. This eagerness led some collectors to include heirlooms that were actually made after the Revolution. This cut-down flintlock fowler is associated with John Aiken of Bedford, New Hampshire. Aiken raced with hundreds of other New Englanders to intercept a British invasion force from Canada intended to cut off New England from the rest of the colonies. Aiken and other militia pummeled a German relief column at the Battle of Bennington in 1777. However, this could not have been the weapon he carried. It is of a style associated with the 19th century. The lockplate name, "W. Ketland & Co." is of a London firm that existed from 1804-31, well after the Revolution.

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