John B. Derrick began making black powder firearms in the early 1990s, after retiring from a career as an English Literature professor. His first inspiration came from his memories of the European firearms he had collected in Germany as an adolescent, during his family's stay there. It was during this period that his interest in antique firearms had first developed, and his aesthetic affinity for the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries was established.
John's study of the guns of that era began with a focus on German Jaeger rifles and expanded to include works by French and English gun makers. He actively sought out original pieces that inspired his contemporary interpretations of European masterworks. John's guns are rarely exact replicas, yet they are all true in spirit to the pre-industrial baroque and rococo styles he loves. His trademarks are the use of elk antler, sterling silver and bronze inlay, and his fine woodcarving. He produced his own custom brass and silver furniture by the lost wax method, without the use of molds: each is unique. His guns include snaphaunces and wheel locks as well as flintlocks. Jaegers and cheek stock hunting rifles are his specialty. John recently passed away on May 14th, 2024.
This particular "fowling piece is one of the few English pieces that Derrick made over his 30 year career. It was completely custom made by John Derrick and completed around 2012. It was recently sold from his personal collection and appears unfired; featuring a .31" tapered smoothbore barrel in .62 caliber an features an excellent bore.
Derrick loosely copied this rifle from the English "Gentleman's" sporting weapons during the mid to late 18th Century. These fowling pieces featured hooked breeches with barrels secured by wedge pins; allowing the gun's owner to easily swap between a smooth, or rifled barrel. These guns generally featured minimal relief carving but were often decorated with elaborate silver wire Rococo motifs; like shells or floral patterns. Derrick copied those wire details in the creation of this piece.
The stock was had shaped from a blank of English Walnut. Wire inlay and late 18th Century "Pineapple" checkering covers the butt and wrist of the stock, and there are no cracks, chips or damage to the stock.
Ignition is provided by an American-made "John Twigg" late 18th Century English flintlock made by R.E Davis. RE Davis has been producing custom early American flintlock components for more than 40 years and their locks have an excellent reputation for being ultra reliable, throwing a shower of sparks with every pull of the trigger. This lock is no exception with a solid half and full cock and excellent spark.
The furniture was entirely made by Derrick and was also heavily inspired by English furniture of the period. Made from brass, the furniture includes filigree scrollwork.
This smoothbore fowling piece is truly one of a kind; and does an excellent job of showcasing Derrick's imagination and skill as a builder while remaining true to the source material that inspired it. This Jaeger is a functional piece of art, which would be at home at a shooting range, reenactment or art gallery.