AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Antique Gun Collecting => Topic started by: rich pierce on July 16, 2024, 03:01:46 PM

Title: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: rich pierce on July 16, 2024, 03:01:46 PM
This original club butt fowler from Grinslade’s book on colonial fowlers inspired my most recent build. Flat pictures don’t do it justice. I was surprised to see it seems to be stocked in walnut, which is less common among New England fowlers. As far as I can see, it’s not had a lot of work done other than the statistically-likely reconversion to flint. It may have been quite a bit longer originally, as the termination of the forestock where the muzzle cap fits seems sort of chopped off rather than planned during the build. As is often the case a short, non-original iron ramrod was included. Looks good though. The unusual carving is of super low relief but very nicely done and pleasing to me.

(https://i.ibb.co/0X0CKg6/IMG-2626.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TTQ41V7)

(https://i.ibb.co/YXvrR5y/IMG-2629.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jz7p6CW)

(https://i.ibb.co/nwj3G0n/IMG-2627.jpg) (https://ibb.co/10Tsgnd)

(https://i.ibb.co/60SRcFY/IMG-2630.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3mby5c1)

(https://i.ibb.co/d2tkMGy/IMG-2633.jpg) (https://ibb.co/6P8Dwg5)

(https://i.ibb.co/yRYJ1mF/IMG-2632.jpg) (https://ibb.co/n0nSvqM)

(https://i.ibb.co/CBBmfWK/IMG-2635.jpg) (https://ibb.co/BLLc9w2)

(https://i.ibb.co/tpnh4sK/IMG-2636.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TMJTk82)

(https://i.ibb.co/ZcYFBNG/IMG-2634.jpg) (https://ibb.co/NWmJ97t)

(https://i.ibb.co/7brdd7d/IMG-2628.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QXY33s3)
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: Robert Wolfe on July 16, 2024, 03:53:25 PM
Very nice Rich, you the new caretaker?
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: HSmithTX on July 16, 2024, 05:34:49 PM
Rich, I love the carving on that, super neat!  Can you post a tighter picture of the sideplate?  What is the bore size on it??
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: JTR on July 16, 2024, 05:49:43 PM
What a nice fowler, and thanks for showing it!
As for possible reconversion, look at the touch hole area, as that's usually an easy giveaway. As long as the breech end of the barrel is original.

 
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: rich pierce on July 16, 2024, 05:50:59 PM
Yep, new caretaker. Here’s the side plate closeup. Bore measures 0.700 at the muzzle.
(https://i.ibb.co/PGyqm2j/IMG-2648.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ZzrqLQX)
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: rich pierce on July 16, 2024, 05:55:06 PM
Quote from: JTR on July 16, 2024, 05:49:43 PM
What a nice fowler, and thanks for showing it!
As for possible reconversion, look at the touch hole area, as that's usually an easy giveaway. As long as the breech end of the barrel is original.
John, it has the telltale “drum remnant” look
(https://i.ibb.co/DzbJsdR/IMG-2649.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wBLk3tz)
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: WKevinD on July 16, 2024, 06:22:09 PM
I love how thin the wrist is (compared to the breech) and also the width at the sideplate /lockpanel. Something I never noticed in the books pictures. Great pictures that you show. Congratulations!

Kevin
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: DaveM on July 16, 2024, 07:08:23 PM
Beautiful! What a neat piece.

On the thumb piece it looks like it has. The owner initials above - are those possibly numerals below, maybe the year it was made? Or is that just part of the engraved design?
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: Robby on July 16, 2024, 09:25:31 PM
That is a beauty Rich, congratulations!!!! A cheek rest on both sides? An equal opportunity smithy!
Robby
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: Avlrc on July 16, 2024, 10:33:43 PM
Congrats on a beautiful Fowler. That side plate is unique. I had overlooked that.
Title: Re: Club butt fowler 6 from Grinslade’s book
Post by: rich pierce on July 16, 2024, 11:03:29 PM
Quote from: WKevinD on July 16, 2024, 06:22:09 PM
I love how thin the wrist is (compared to the breech) and also the width at the sideplate /lockpanel. Something I never noticed in the books pictures. Great pictures that you show. Congratulations!

Kevin
Thanks Kevin! The breech is about 1.25”. Big!