Author Topic: Fowler Question  (Read 3162 times)

Offline QuanLoi

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Fowler Question
« on: March 19, 2016, 12:36:34 AM »
I've been shooting flintlocks for years and have built a few... and I've always wondered why fowlers generally are missing the rail behind the bow of the trigger guard.  I've scanned what literature I could, and have referenced this site to find an answer.  I've had absolutely no luck answering this question.  Why no rail?

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2016, 12:38:28 AM »
Easier to grip, very fast.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline QuanLoi

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2016, 03:24:11 AM »
Then why have a rail on any longrifle at all?

Offline rich pierce

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2016, 03:58:57 AM »
This is a mystery.
Andover, Vermont

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2016, 03:33:35 PM »
Then why have a rail on any longrifle at all?
Cool factor.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Dan'l 1946

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #5 on: March 19, 2016, 06:01:26 PM »
  I think the answer lies in the different ways that rifles and fowlers are used. Like Mike said, the rail-less grip is quicker to grasp and works better on a birding piece. The rifle works just as well with or without a grip rail but the rail does seem to position the hand better when the rifle uses set triggers--at least for me.
                                                              Dan

Offline Majorjoel

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #6 on: March 19, 2016, 10:05:40 PM »
It is the simple question that is the hardest to answer. If you go back to Europe where many of our early gunsmiths came from, you will find that is the way they did things.
Joel Hall

Offline QuanLoi

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Re: Fowler Question
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2016, 09:06:14 PM »
Thanks for the replies.  Now, I'll stop scratching my head in bewilderment and forget about it.