Minimum TG fowler tab length?

[JasonR]

I have 2 different makes of fowler TGs (see photo). The tabs on the bottom TG have me concerned, given the rounded underbelly of butt stock will have less wood for the pins. What's the minimum tab length before wood splitting is a concern? I feel using slightly smaller diameter than 1/16th pins given shortness of tabs would be suitable on the TG in question.  Thank you

[Rick Anthony]

Jason, I have resolved issues like yours in the past by filing a dovetail in the existing lug, then making an extension lug piece of the same thickness of brass with a matching dovetail to mate with the original, then either soft solder   or silver solder the new addition at the mating line. Cut off the excess to your desired length, and inlet as usual. Rick Anthony

[smart dog]

Hi,
You are over thinking this.  First, if you are making some sort of English fowler, I recommend the upper trigger guard with the smaller bow.  That is much more correct in size and shape.  Second, that bow has 3 tabs for the anchoring pins and two lumps of sprue that need removing completely.  Keep the forward tab under the front of the bow as high as you can so the hole for the pin will be hidden inside the lock mortise on the lock side.  The other two tabs can be 3/8" - 1/2" tall above the inside of the trigger guard. I do not recommend using any pins smaller than 1/16" and I do not like 1/16" either. A 1/16" drill breaks really easy when you are drilling the holes and pins that small don't have a lot of strength. A lot of guys use 1/16" pins but I prefer 5/64" and on musket sized guns, I use 3/32" pins. If you are making an English style gun, I suggest looking at my multi-part tutorial on just that topic in our Tutorial section. It is under "Miscellaneous Tutorials".

dave 

[Mike Brooks]

Or you could form the two lugs on the rail into slots and use "L" shaped nails to secure the grip rail. If you're going with pins, the grip rail tabs should be 3/8" more or less and use 1/16" pins.

[JasonR]

Thank you gents