Rare South African Percussion Fowler by Rawbone of Cape Town

NSN, .78 Caliber (approximately 10 Bore), 34" flat-topped barrel with a good, lightly pitted bore.  This is a very attractive gun that has a plum-brown patina along the barrel with some hints of the underlying twist pattern still visible towards the breech.  The maker’s name is engraved along the flat at the breech: W.G.RAWBONE, CAPE TOWN," just ahead of the folding leaf rear sight.  The "W.G. RAWBONE" marked lock is fully functional, although the sliding safety latch is frozen in the disengaged position.  The stock has minor handling marks and blemishes scattered about the thick, added oil finish.  Some mild surface oxidation is present on the trigger guard, and the checkering has flattened with use.  The gun has what appears to be the original brass-tipped ebony ramrod, and is in very good condition overall.  William George Rawbone was originally a Birmingham gunmaker, but operated in Cape Town, SA from 1848 until ca. 1860.  African-made guns are not often seen in North America, and most that are over here were generally hard used, but this example was well cared for and would make a very nice addition to any collection.  Antique