Very few guns made by Mathewson are in existence, by some accounts, only three are known, and by others, as many as seven. Welcome Mathewson was a prolific gun maker from Burrillville, Rhode Island. For similar examples and examples by G. Mathewson, see "Rhode Island Arms Makers and Gunsmiths: 1643-1883" by William O. Achtermier, pages 56-60. Round smoothbore barrel with solid flat rib on top, signed "W Mathewson" in script, near breech. Flintlock mechanism with stamp engraved lockplate marked "A.W. SPIES/WARRANTED". Engraved English-style brass furniture. Triggerguard with relief acorn finial, vacant wrist escutcheon with engraved urn-shaped finial at bottom, and four-tiered buttplate tang engraved with two intertwined branches. Hand-forged curled trigger. Full-length walnut stock, buttstock of typical New England fowler form, with wrist extending into comb. Shaped relief-carved panels around the lock and sideplate, and a relief carved Acanthus leaf is displayed behind the barrel tang, in the typical Mathewson style. Wooden ramrod. This fowler is complete with an archive and several books on Mathewson and New England Fowlers, including the books "Rhode Island Arms Makers & Gunsmiths: 1643-1883" by William O. Achtermier, "Images of America: Burrillville" by Patricia Zifchock Mehrtens, and "The New England Gun: The First Two Hundred Years" by Merrill Lindsay. Also includes color photographs from the Bennington Museum of a similar fowler by G. Mathewson, and a color copy of "Man at Arms: Volume four, number 6" form 1982, featuring the article "Observations on the New England Flintlock Rifle" by Donald Andreasen. Good condition, as restored. This rifle has had some professional restoration, which is not discernible to the naked eye. The forend has been replaced from the entry ferrule forward, the barrel has been extended 17 inches and blended to match patina. The reconverted lock is probably a second lock, as there are a few minor slivers replaced around the lockplate. Also, it has a rounded tail, which dates later than the gun. The wrist was broken and has been professionally restored. Barrel and lock retain an even brown patina with some pitting at breech with some scattered marks. Brass is unpolished and retains a mellow patina. Stock is very good, as restored and shows scattered marks from use and some wear to carving and a few minor losses around barrel tang. Some cracks from age beneath lock, on each side of triggerguard. Despite the well-done restoration, signed examples of New England fowlers are exceedingly scarce. This particular example, signed by a rare maker, is particulary nice and scarce. None by this maker have recently been offered for sale. This may be the only example which can ever be bought and is worthy of any serious collection of New England items or early American rifles. Serial Number-NSN; Manufacturer-Mathewson; Model-Fowler; Caliber- ; Barrel Length-50"; FFL Status-Antique;