fowlers etc

[omark]

probably a dumb question, but what is the difference between a fowler, shotgun and smoothbore?
   mark   

[James Rogers]

Smoothbore - A gun with a smooth bore. Can be a blunderbuss, carbine, musket, pistol, fowling piece, fusee, etc.

Fowler- a more modern  term (like "flinter" "capper" "smoothie" "remmie", etc." and I am guessing probably of northern origination) for a fowling piece or gun designed for taking birds and using shot. It may have been used in the 19th century but I have to date found no evidence of it.

Shotgun - a term used for a gun that is used to shoot shot. It seems to have replaced the term "fowling piece".  The term "Shotgun" is at least as old as the last quarter of the 18th century in America.

[omark]

james, thank you, i guess i had it about right, but appreciate the verification.   mark

[Pete G.]

The "Fowler" is the individual firing the "Fowling Piece", at least if you are going by traditional terms.

[sz]

In advertising jargon of the 1830 era, a "Fowling Piece",  or "Fowler"  was a single barreled smoothbore gun made for firing shot, and a "Shotgun" was a double barreled gun for shooting shot.

The line is not clear-cut, but as a general rule, that's how they were referred to at that time.
I cannot say what terms were used in the 1770s, but I have never seen the word "Shotgun" used in any letters, adds, or bills much earlier then about 1820.

If I am in error here, I'd welcome additional information myself.

[James Rogers]

I cannot say what terms were used in the 1770s, but I have never seen the word "Shotgun" used in any letters, adds, or bills much earlier then about 1820.

If I am in error here, I'd welcome additional information myself.

I have quite a few references to the use of "shotgun" in the 18th century. One of which is an inventory list of a Virginia relative in the 1780's.

Steve, Did the 1830's ad use the term "fowling piece" or "fowler"? I would be very interested in seeing the exact wording of that ad.