Mark Silver's 1763 half stock English fowler

[Justin Urbantas]

From what I've gathered,  pre-Rev war English fowlers in half stock are almost unheard of, then
I saw this baby on a Muzzleblast cover from 2002
 

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 Here are the pictures of the gun  from Mark's website.
http://msilverartisan.com/gallerypages/Fowler/index.htm

Do any of you gents have any more information about Mark's gun, or more importantly the original it was based off of? Do you think the 1763 date is appropriate for the gun. Just from the quality of his work, I imagine he is the sort of man that does his research.
Thanks guys. Justin
 

[James Rogers]

There were plenty of half stocked English guns going back to the 1730s. Although well known they were not predominate over fully stocked guns. My certainty comes from a compilation of years of study of originals,  paintings,  records and writings so there is not one source I can direct you to. Paintings are especially helpful with this since many full stocked guns were later half stocked.

[smart dog]

Hi Justin,
Half stock English fowlers probably go back to the 1750s or perhaps earlier but they were not the norm until the third quarter of the 18th century.  Also, some, even high end, full stocked fowlers were turned into half stocks during their useful life so it sometimes can be difficult to judge if an existing half stocked antique was originally full stocked.  The style of the wire work on Silver's gun is representative of work done before the 1770s so his gun should represent something made when half stocks were uncommon.  As with so many innovations, William Bailes was credited with introducing the metal under rib on half stocked English sporting guns during the 1760s.  William Bailes was incredible and is one of my gun making heroes.  My other major hero is Heironymous Borstorffer.  Can you imagine attending a party and someone asking who influenced you the most, and you respond William Bailes and Heironymous Borstorffer.  What a nerd!!!

dave   

[James Rogers]

Here is a recurring style of entry I have seen on 1730-60 English half stocks....that being a metal cap. This is off of a 1730s silver mounted gun by Clarkson that was re-stocked in the last quarter 18th by Ketland.




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[greybeard]

A  number of years back I had a W. Turvey  16 ga, half stock single barrel fowler. The profile was identical to the one pictured . Mine was quite a plain gun with very little embellishment
It was assumed to be from the 1760 era.   Bob

[Justin Urbantas]

A  number of years back I had a W. Turvey  16 ga, half stock single barrel fowler. The profile was identical to the one pictured . Mine was quite a plain gun with very little embellishment
It was assumed to be from the 1760 era.   Bob

Hey there Bob. Do you have any pictures of the gun, or know who has it these days? As pretty as Mark's gun is I much prefer a plain gun with light embellishment, which is what I plan on building.

[greybeard]

A  number of years back I had a W. Turvey  16 ga, half stock single barrel fowler. The profile was identical to the one pictured . Mine was quite a plain gun with very little embellishment
It was assumed to be from the 1760 era.   Bob

Hey there Bob. Do you have any pictures of the gun, or know who has it these days? As pretty as Mark's gun is I much prefer a plain gun with light embellishment, which is what I plan on building.

No sorry. That was long before digital cameras. Bob

[Jeff Stewart]

Justin- Mark Silver is usually at the CLA show with a display of his work.  If you make it next year, you could discuss his inspiration.  Not the best answer since that is almost a year away.

Dave- Heironymous Borstorffer is an awesome name.  I know how you feel with the party comment.  One of my heroes is the Israeli general, Mordechai Gur.  Say it out loud and it sounds like a movie pirate nom de guerre.

[smart dog]

Hi Bob,
William Turvey died in 1745 so if he made your gun, the gun is much earlier than 1760.  However, as I mentioned previously, full stocked fowlers were sometimes converted to half stocks later in their working lives.  That said, the nose cap design James shows is very similar to those used on turn off pistols from the early 1700s that had full side locks surrounded by wood rather than the metal encased actions.

dave

[Hemo]

Regardless of any misfortune which may befall me in the future, I can take comfort in the knowledge that I will never be named Heironymous Borstorffer.

Dave, I never heard of him--is he a German maker or a transplant to England?

(Google doesn't know who he is.)

Gregg

[Mike Brooks]

I have spent many an hour passing the time at F-ship with that Silver fowling gun in my lap. It's an incredible piece of work. I wish I  could shoot a round of skeet with it one day.   He built that gun as a spec gun.... never had the courage to discuss actually owning it.

 I owned a English breech loading rifle ca 1680 that was a 1/2 stock.

[smart dog]

Hi Gregg,
He worked in Munich during the early 1600s along with Daniel and Emanuel Sadler.  He was their goto stock decorator guy and he is one  of the greatest gunstockers in history.  Below are photos of some of his work.  He did the stocks not the barrels or locks.

dave

[deepcreekdale]

Dave, I guess his work is OK, needs to build a few Kibler or Chambers kits first to get his stock architecture right. Kidding aside, that is a magnificent piece in every way. That is the difference between European and American guns, European guns were built my multiple specialists, all highly trained and accepted as members of guilds. While American guns were generally built by one man after a 7 year apprenticeship by a master that may or may not have had any ability in more that one area of gunbuilding. It is amazing we have so many fine American guns but even the finest is crude compared to European ones. I also second the notion that Heironymous Borstorffer is the best name ever!

[Darthur]

I have spent many an hour passing the time at F-ship with that Silver fowling gun in my lap. It's an incredible piece of work. I wish I  could shoot a round of skeet with it one day.   He built that gun as a spec gun.... never had the courage to discuss actually owning it.

 Mike,
 I know what you mean. I would have loved to have seen that fowling gun in person myself. I remember seeing it in the magazine, always has been one of all-time favorites.   Last spring at F-ship I stood in his booth in front of his Vogler rifle and could hardly look away from it. I went back again later that day just to see it again. Wanted to ask, but knew I would not be able to own it. Guess I have another all-time favorite now in the Vogler.