Author Topic: Original English Fowlers (Read 16229 times)

Feltwad · « **on:** February 20, 2009, 10:04:45 AM »

Anybody have an English Fowler that they use or just collect in flint or percussion.Not just the top London makers but also those by the provincial makers
Lets see some images I know there will be plenty of interest.
Feltwad

Mike Brooks · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2009, 05:46:19 PM »

Bilby Hyde & Co. 33" 18 bore barrels. My favorite pheasant and skeet gun. The locks need a more proper reconversion and I need to brown the barrels. I've got another double flint by Swallow that I have never photographed. I've got two Henry Nock guns in parts boxes if you like to see boxes of parts!

Sean · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2009, 06:28:45 PM »

Could the moderators consider adding some European guns like this to the library? Given that American guns are modeled so much after German and English guns, not to mention the huge numbers of European imports, I don't think it would be too far outside of the intended topic.

Nice gun, Mike.

Sean

tallbear · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2009, 07:01:21 PM »

This ones mine.Not in the best of shape,but the important stuff is there.

Mitch

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2009, 07:49:10 PM »

This one belongs to a friend of mine, and he has given me first refusal when he sells it. The maker is Cutler. It is in almost perfect condition. Without a gauge, I'm guessing it is between 30 - 28 gauge. The stock is very straight, so you're looking at a lot of barrel...likely for Woodcock or similar fast rising birds.

Sean · « **Reply #5 on:** February 20, 2009, 08:03:03 PM »

Taylor, that's just downright cute.

Sean

J.D. · « **Reply #6 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:10:36 PM »

Now those are neat guns. I seem to remember Mitch's fowler, from the old board. There should be a thread with some information on the old board.

IMHO, including these English guns in the Library would be a good idea.

Thanks,
J.D.

rtadams · « **Reply #7 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:28:16 PM »

2-20-09

Suggestion:

If you elect to include European guns, Create and Index to select by Country of Origin.

Best Regards

Feltwad · « **Reply #8 on:** February 20, 2009, 09:41:11 PM »

Well I think I have created an intersting thread there is one thing I must point out and that it is not only for flinters so I have enclosed a stand of big bore guns from percussion ,tubelock and flint.

Feltwad

From the top 8 Gage percussion, 6 Gage tubelock, 10 gage percussion, 4 Gage percussion, 2 gage Flintlock Bank Gun.

longrifle · « **Reply #9 on:** February 20, 2009, 11:43:19 PM »

Those are some really nice looking gun's guy's. Very interesting.

Majorjoel · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:09:37 AM »

I know the English built some of the best fowlers, but the French added quite a bit to the "art" of these fine ole shotguns.

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richardn · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2009, 01:24:16 AM »

Quote from: tallbear on February 20, 2009, 07:01:21 PM

This ones mine.Not in the best of shape,but the important stuff is there.

Mitch

Mike - very nice smoothbore for field use. Looks like it would handle well.

Richard Nicholas

longrifle · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2009, 04:28:05 AM »

That one might not be in the best shape. But I like those with the used look. What gauge is the gun ?

Steve Collward · « **Reply #13 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:20:29 AM »

Attached are some photos of an English Fowler. Barrel length is 38 1/4"-overall length is 53 1/2". Other than proof marks, no names are on the barrel or lock. Bore is apprx. 11 ga.

Steve Collward

Steve Collward · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:07:26 PM »

Below are photos of another Fowler. This one appears to have been converted to percussion. Barrel is 45 3/8" long with overall length of 61". Lock plate is marked "Lewis & Tomes". The barrel is octagon to round has proofs and stamped "London". Gauge is apprx. 16. Although it has a few condition issues, looks pretty much to be untouched since the percussion conversion. Stock has nice original dark finish. Hope this is of interest. Steve Collward

lexington1 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2009, 07:41:32 PM »

Here is one that I just bought but it hasn't arrived yet. I can get better pics when it gets here. It is by James Freeman, ca. 1750's. It is approx. 14 bore and was made as a takedown.

ptk1126 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:25:28 PM »

I have four European flintlock fowlers; one each of England, France, Belgium, and Germany (converted to percussion).
Here is the English one: 16 ga, 33 3/8" barrel, 49" loa. The inside of the lock is marked "TM" which someone told me was
likely Thomas Moxham of Birmingham who traded from 1799 to his death at age 75 in 1837. This was likely a cheap export
gun and I am surprised that it has survived so well.

Birmingham proof marks

All the best
Paul

James Rogers · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2009, 08:52:39 PM »

Lexington1,

I had looked at that gun as well! I really like the work of James Freeman Jr and Sr.
I would love to see more pictures of this gun when you get it!

James

lexington1 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 22, 2009, 10:00:54 PM »

Did you notice the swivel breech gun? It was a very hard choice for me but I finally settled for the Freeman gun.

California Kid · « **Reply #19 on:** February 22, 2009, 10:27:53 PM »

Great thread. Keep the pics coming as they are hard to find. Not many published except for Great British Gunmakers

Sean · « **Reply #20 on:** February 22, 2009, 11:48:50 PM »

That Moxham import fowler would make a heck of a nice pheasant gun.

G-Man · « **Reply #21 on:** February 23, 2009, 06:45:47 AM »

That Freeman gun is a beauty - the wrist carving and limited amount of drop are unusual for an English gun of the period.

Guy

Levy · « **Reply #22 on:** February 23, 2009, 06:05:36 PM »

Wonderful fowlers. Am I mistaken in seeing hook breeches on these single barrel fowlers?

James Levy

G-Man · « **Reply #23 on:** February 23, 2009, 06:25:23 PM »

You are correct Jim - hooked breeches were typical on better grade English sporting guns and some officer's fusils as well, throughout most of the Georgian era. Many people confuse hooked breeches with Henry Nock's "Patent" breech design, but hooked breeches were around long before Nock.

Guy

Feltwad · « **Reply #24 on:** February 23, 2009, 06:52:43 PM »

The hooked breech on s/b and d/b sporting guns were popular from 1750 onwards they reached perfection with Mantons sunken rib for the d/b flinter .Most were converted to percussion using the drum and nipple and some were fitted with true percussion breeches a good way to Identify those with the latter are the two wedges which were common on most s/b flinters. As for the the drum and nipple conversion on sporting guns with the hooked breech I restore on average of 4 per month and still retaining the drum and nipple because this is part of the history of the gun and should be retained.
Feltwad

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Author Topic: Original English Fowlers (Read 16229 times)

Sean

Sean

J.D.

longrifle

richardn

longrifle

California Kid

Sean

Levy