Fowler Sling

[hanshi]

I need a little help.  I have an EA fowler and want to sling it.  I have the front swivel and rear button and a nice sling to go with it.  I need to know where the button should go relative to the butt plate and exactly where the hole for the front swivel should go.  Thanks.

[G-Man]

No set rules - it depends on how long your fowler is and how long the sling is.  Many people start by positioning the front swivel just in front of the middle thimble so it hangs down against the outside of the middle thimble when the gun is muzzle up - that way it does not interfere with replacing the ramrod.  (This might not work as well on a gun with a  longer barrel, especially those in the 44 inch + range).  Then depending on how long your sling is, position the rear button somewhere rear of the triggerguard finial in a position along the toe of the buttstock that gives you enough slack in the sling for a comfortable carry.   If you have an unusally short rear triggerguard finial just don't put the button into the narrow part of the wrist - most are positioned somewhere under the comb.

You will have to experiment a bit before you drill to see that the placement gives you a comfortable and safe carry.

Guy

[hanshi]

Hey, thanks.  The barrel is 38" and I'm glad you mentioned about that middle thimble as a swivel stop.

[Swampwalker]

And remember to sweat on a stud on the barrel to support the front swivel pin - the wood forarm is not sufficient!

[hanshi]

And remember to sweat on a stud on the barrel to support the front swivel pin - the wood forarm is not sufficient!

Okay, I didn't know that either.  Can you give me an example or pic or something so I can understand what you describe?  This is a bit more involved than I knew.

[Long Ears]

hanshi, just put an extra lug under your barrel like is used to pin the stock to the barrel. You will have to use a very small bolt to fit threw the lug like a size 6. It is a little tricky but I got it done. Bob

[Robby]

Here you go Hanshi.


Robby

[hanshi]

Thanks for all the valuable information, everyone.  That picture is a great help, Robbie.  Of course I won't be able to use a dovetail since my barrel is round at that point but I've no way of machining it, anyway.  I'm glad I asked about all this before I got started.  Thanks, again.

[omark]

hanshi, solder a lug on.    mark

[Acer Saccharum]

Yes, you can solder a lug on, but make sure the lug has a large area of contact with the barrel.

If I was doing it, I'd silver braze(hard solder) the tab to a shoe that is curved to fit the barrel. File the whole thing until it meets your plan, then fit it and soft solder it to the barrel.  The large contact guarantees the tab won't tear off in use.

[hanshi]

A friend, who has built a few rifles and is pretty good with these things, is helping with the installation.  I've got the stock button installed and he took the barrel home with him to braze on the lug.  My hands are much too shaky for such precise work plus I don't have the tools for silver soldering.  I'm anxious to get it all back together and have a nice sling I acquired from TOTW.

[Swampwalker]

Hanshi, I would advise against 'braizing' on the stud.  Use what's known as hi-force solder, which is a low 3% silver solder which flows at under 600 degrees.  Too much heat is required to braize, and it could warp your barrel.

[hanshi]

Maybe I used the wrong term; I know a little bit less than nothing about metal work.  Anyway, I always thought "brazing" was something you do to meat .   I do believe he mentioned "silver solder" and he also mentioned something about not wanting to over heat the barrel.  If he ends up ruining it I'll just shoot him with my squirrel rifle.

[Daryl]

1/2 stock fowlers are easy to sling swivel - through the soldered-on rib.