There are two names on this piece. On American guns the name on the barrel top rib is usually the maker. The known gunsmith who's name appears on the right lock plate is A. Schloffser. The left lock plate has the place of manufacture...Fursteneau which was a castle near Oldenwald Germany. Home of Ludwig III. On the top barrel rib deeply engraved is the name IOSEPH SWABBEL. I cannot find any info on this guy. Augustus Schloffser is listed as a gunsmith ca.1740, in Stockel's book. I have seen other similar sxs cape guns made by him. One was dated 1788. I do not know if this gun was converted to percussion, from flintlock. If any of the dates are accurate it would have to be so. I find the breech area configuration to be of the 1830 or so era. It is possible this was the work of one Joseph Swabbel using early signed lock plates???? To find information from the war torn German lands is almost impossible.
