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General discussion => Gun Building => Topic started by: Cory Joe Stewart on August 17, 2018, 05:10:24 PM

Title: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on August 17, 2018, 05:10:24 PM

This was a first for me.  I am building an early fowler for a friend of mine and needed to make the buttplate.  I made it from a piece of 1/8" this sheet brass.  It was a little too heavy to anneal with my torch so I used charcoal for that. I left the stock heavy to I could safely use it as the form.  Lots of beating and banging and it turned out pretty well.  I still have some clean up to do. 


(https://preview.ibb.co/kKMkAz/20180812_174002.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nswJVz)


(https://preview.ibb.co/fvju3K/20180812_174019.jpg) (https://ibb.co/juwkAz)


(https://preview.ibb.co/dvg7OK/20180812_175159.jpg) (https://ibb.co/iB3bHe)



(https://preview.ibb.co/c1S8Vz/20180813_172517_004.jpg) (https://ibb.co/kchxOK)


(https://preview.ibb.co/mhRP3K/20180813_172509_006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/nF2xOK)


Cory Joe Stewart

(https://preview.ibb.co/co6Kne/20180813_172529_006.jpg) (https://ibb.co/bHETfz)

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: KC on August 17, 2018, 07:50:32 PM

That is one big butt. Very interesting, is it based on an original? How early of time period would this be?
K.C.

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: deepcreekdale on August 17, 2018, 08:46:16 PM

I love it when gunbuilders go outside the box to come up with something interesting and unusual. Then, come up with a solution so they can make it.  Club butt fowlers are beautiful in their own way and you have definitely solved the problem of the buttplate. I appreciate your sharing.

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: conquerordie on August 17, 2018, 10:19:19 PM

Looks kinda like that fowler Todd Bitler made, a Dutch gun if I remember.

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on August 18, 2018, 01:16:35 AM

Thanks everyone.  Yes it is Dutch.  It is inspired by an original in Early American Flintlocks.  Bitler did a version of it as well.  The book puts it at early 1700s.  1710 to be exact. 

Cory Joe Stewart

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on August 18, 2018, 01:26:11 AM

One thing that is interesting is that everyone who has seen image comments on how big it is.  I made the buttplate on the same width and height of an early Bess.  I think it is somthing about the architecture exaggerates the look.  Or maybe I'm reading too much into it.

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: Mike Brooks on August 19, 2018, 08:56:51 PM

It wouldn't hurt to handle some originals before you jump into architecture like that.

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on August 19, 2018, 11:07:56 PM

Quote from: Mike Brooks on August 19, 2018, 08:56:51 PM

It wouldn't hurt to handle some originals before you jump into architecture like that.

I have only handled a couple of original fowler's. And only one was even close to this architecture.  Are you seeing something that I need to notice?

Cory

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: bob in the woods on August 19, 2018, 11:43:55 PM

Cory, do you have " Flintlock Fowlers" by Tom Grinslade, or " Colonial Frontier Guns" by T.M. Hamilton ?   If not, take a good look at them. Perhaps you can get them from your local library.  Lots to see and extremely good stuff if you are into early smoothbores.

Title: Re: making an early fowler buttplate
Post by: Cory Joe Stewart on August 19, 2018, 11:47:56 PM

Yes I have those.