Suggestions and direction on a smoothbore

[wetzel]

Gents,
I am trying to put together a build for this coming winter.  I am still a rookie, but have built a few rifles.  In thinking about what to make the idea occurred to me that maybe I should build a smoothbore.  I have never owned or shot a smoothbore gun and I don't know much about them.  I was hoping for some recommendations.  I would like to use the gun for the shotgun shoots at rendezvous, also to shoot a roundball for the target shoots and trail walks, and hunt deer or elk.  Maybe this is asking to much of one gun, but it sounds like smoothbores are fairly versatile.  I want to be able to carve, and engrave the gun, plus try out some wire inlay.  I don't know much about them so any recommended reading or where to research and learn would also be appreciated as I don't even know where to start.

[Lucky R A]

Grinslade's book Flintlock fowlers.  Pick your favorite and recreate it.   

[wattlebuster]

What lucky RA said. I have this book an like it lots

[wetzel]

Thanks guys, I found a soft copy on amazon for 31.00.  It looks like a great reference.  I ordered one and will study it.  Thank you.

[Dr. Tim-Boone]

Take a look at Mike Brooks Type G Trade Guns........ Trade guns were the common man's gun for birds, deer, bear and hostiles.  They are long and lite and fast to build.....

[wetzel]

Thanks Dr. Tim-Boone.  I checked it out, great info. 

[big AL]

there is a good artical in NRA American Rifleman , Check wwwjaegerkorp.org/nra/neumann. the Fusil de Chase, ,20Ga.  cangive you 3" groups at 50 yds. with a patched round ball. O/H.

[blunderbuss]

Currently I'm building an underhammer which is not only original but versatile and simple as well. One need only take one barrel off and put another one on, change to a rifle shot gun what ever. One of the ALR members sells them

[B.Habermehl]

Trade gun, 28 ga to 20ga., with a type "g" rear sight.  Good for about any thing. 28 ga. is good for rb. and targets and deer/b.bear, and small game with shot. 20 gage is just more of the same and a bit more efficient with shot. I have both.  BJH

[Daryl]

Not exactly sure what you're wanting, but this is a very comfortable design to shoot - round ball or shot.  It could easily be made in full stock, or 1/2 as this one is.  Because it's basically English design, it's wonderfully designed with the shooter in mind.  I think it's merely Track's Purdey profile -  they have the stock profile for sale.

[Glenn]

Not exactly sure what you're wanting, but this is a very comfortable design to shoot - round ball or shot.  It could easily be made in full stock, or 1/2 as this one is.  Because it's basically English design, it's wonderfully designed with the shooter in mind.  I think it's merely Track's Purdey profile -  they have the stock profile for sale.

Nice gun. 

[wetzel]

Daryl thanks for the pictures, sure looks like a pleasant shooter.  I'm hoping to build something a little fancier, you know, lots of carving and engraving, plus some wire inlay.  I found a 62 caliber Colerain smoothbore, octagon to round 38" barrel that I think I will pick up and continue to research for the rest of the parts. The barrel seems safe enough for most directions this gun could go.  Ryan Roberts from Muzzleloader Builders supply showed me a really neat looking gun from rifles of colonial america.  I'm not sure on the page, but will post it when I can talk to him next.   

[Leatherbelly]

Sounds like you need to build a rifle.Fowlers generally speaking,were more plain.Great architecture,but fewer embellishments.Grinslade's book is great.

[blunderbuss]

 
With all due respect Canvasback, Anything back then could have been decorated I have an original picture of a blunderbuss with at least 9 miles of brass wire in it who'd a thought anyone would have done that to a blunderbuss? That's what gave me the idea to do mine. Go for it  wetzel and with the great architecture of a fowler it should be a super fine piece.
You do know when you get it done you'll never take it hunting

[alyce-james]

Dayrl; Fine looking gun. It has been a long time but the pictures remind me of a 10 Ga. kit offered in 1977 by Sharon Barrel Co. Not to imply this gun looks like a kit, just reminds of the past. Thanks for the pictures and the memories. AJ

[Daryl]

Made by a fellow called Henkeler - anyone know him? It is well built.