Help Id an early 1800s english smoothbore shortstock

[Frank8888]

Hi, looking for help finding more info on this old caplock smoothbore muzzleloader that's about 20 gauge (its the size of wads that fit in...).
1st picture, under the barrel, close to the nipple, from the proof marks, I understand it might have been proofed in 1815-1855 (BPC and V mark only). What does the 21 mean?
2nd picture, just an inch or two from picture 1, it looks like something was stamped there, but can barely be read, looks like it ends in "R" or "K".... any idea of what it was?
3rd picture, I can barely see it, at first I thought it was scratches, but on the rail under the barrel, close to where the ramrod holder was (looks like its been pulled a while ago!) there seems to be maybe I.C stamped, or something like that. My first thought would be improved cylinder, but i'm not sure. Anybody ever seen this before and could confirm or not?
Last picture shows its a halfstock smoothbore with a barrel half octogonal, half round.

Any help would be appreciated having info on the whats and wheres of that old muzzleloader.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
You have a nice English fowler probably made after 1850 or so. The barrel has Birmingham proof marks and is 21 gauge. It also looks to be a stub twist barrel (not Damascus), which were made from skelps hammered out using old horse shoe nails (stubs). The name is likely the barrel maker but I cannot read any details from your photos. Hopefully, Feltwad, a member on this site will see the post and chime in. He is an expert on these English guns.

dave

 

[Frank8888]

Thanks Dave, how are you able to tell its from after 1850? Here is where I found my info about the approx. dates :

 

[Frank8888]

Hi,
You have a nice English fowler probably made after 1850 or so. The barrel has Birmingham proof marks and is 21 gauge. It also looks to be a stub twist barrel (not Damascus), which were made from skelps hammered out using old horse shoe nails (stubs). The name is likely the barrel maker but I cannot read any details from your photos. Hopefully, Feltwad, a member on this site will see the post and chime in. He is an expert on these English guns.

dave

Thanks, I'm adding some pictures to see better, but the marks are well worn off.

 

[Frank8888]

Here are some pictures with a slightly better view, and I added the end of the barrel that has some decorating work on it if it helps...

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
The style of the back action lock, the trigger guard, the the design of the percussion breech all indicate mid 19th century. I still cannot read any of the letters in the stamped name. You need to photograph it under neutral daylight no flash or artificial light to cause glare. The front sight is fascinating. It looks like silver wire inlet into the barrel or is it just some sort of paint?

dave

 

[ArtyGunner]

If you rub chalk across the old marks it may make them easier to see.