Fishtail gun stocks ?

[bob in the woods]

Does anyone have any experience with fishtail gun stocks ?   How are they for shooting / handling ?
I have been considering one, or if not, then a club butt style. 

[Hungry Horse]

Bob, I shot a friends new club butt musket in 12ga. And immediately started collecting parts to build one of my own. I have a 20ga trade gun, and owned a Roman nosed fowler in the past in 12 ga, and both of them were uncomfortable to shoot more than a few times. The club butt Fowler  had a heavy butt, and a substantial gooseneck in the wrist, and was a pure pleasure to shoot.

  Hungry Horse

[Pukka Bundook]

Bob,

My fishtail fits well and is comfortable, but being so early, might you have trouble with parts?
 Most were made as matchlocks and that's easy, but converted to flint you'd need a doglock making up.
When I first made the fishtail it bit me under the cheek, so I had to lower the comb a bit before finishing. Never bit me since.

[bob in the woods]

I should clarify.  I 'm interested in an earlier gun. Because of my location, I thought of the fishtail type stock and matchlock as being appropriate , [ 1620's-30's  etc ]   however I've never handled one. I use my guns a lot, so if it wasn't a decent shooting stock design, I'd lose interest fast.
The club butts seem to have a reputation as great handling guns, so that would also be an option.
We were travelling recently in the same area that Champlain traversed back in the early 1600's !
Hard to believe that was 400+ years ago     There's a lot of history here !

[Justin Urbantas]

I have a fishtail 11ga  matchlock, and I found it quite comfortable.  I enjoyed shooting it. Even got a deer with it at 40 yards.

[Pukka Bundook]

Bob,

The original users of the old fishtail matchlocks had the same amount of arms , legs and heads as we do, so yes, just like any other stock, they can be made Extremely comfortable to use. 
Also like any other stock, if it's a generic type it may not fit.
If you make one, cut out a board shape first and try it to your shoulder.   or, take the measurements off a nicely fitting gun you own.
Comb height needs measuring where your face fits against it, and what it does further back and forward matters little.
Same with LOP.   Go by middle of the butt for that measurement.
If you lived closer Bob, you could try mine and see how it would work for you.




Sorry I didn't have a decent picture of overall, Bob.

[bob in the woods]

Thanks for the photos and replies.  I was leaning more towards the lever type matchlock. I see that the one depicted has a trigger and guard.  Easier to use I suppose.
BTW- that is an extremely nice looking gun !

[Daryl]

Yes, it most certainly is.

[Pukka Bundook]

Glad youl ike it Bob, Daryl.

I find the trigger easier than the sear bar/lever, and as both types were used in conjunction, I chose a trigger.  :-)

The snap-lock wouldn't fit for your purposes, but is the easiest to shoot well.   V fast!

[alacran]

Wow Pukka that is a beautifull gun. Would love to see more photos. How much did you have to fabricate?

[Pukka Bundook]

Alacran,

There was a thread with this gun some years ago.  Will see if I can find it for you.
The barrel is a Colerain, 20 gauge. rest's homemade.
The stock came up here as blocking on a mate's  haulage truck.  LOL!  Was a good piece of plain hard maple.
I have enough left over to make another stock.
Iron-work is from my scrap -pile in the yard.
Inlays are antler, buffalo and other big bones from the muskeg and clam shells from the river.
Brass wire is shim stock..

[jbigley]

Wow! Pukka, your gun is awesome looking. Nice work! --JB

[Pukka Bundook]

JB,

Pleased you like it.  :-)
I looked for the old thread, but the pictures have disappeared somehow.
I can put them up again sometime if you wish to see them..

[Dennis Glazener]

Pukka
Give me the URL to that topic and Ivwill see if I can revive the photos.
Dennis

[Pukka Bundook]

Good evening Dennis,
Very kind of you to offer to fix the old photos.
if a problem, don't waste your time on it, but than you for looking anyway!

Here is the link;
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=46464.msg456969#msg456969

Finally found it!

best regards,
Richard.

[Sharpsman]

Where are the strings??

[Dennis Glazener]

Where are the strings??

Ok the photos have been resurected from their graves.
https://americanlongrifles.org/forum/index.php?topic=46464.msg456969#msg456969
Dennis

[smallpatch]

Richard,
What material did you use for the ivory looking inlays?

[Daryl]

Richard,
What material did you use for the ivory looking inlays?

I assume bone & shells.

"Inlays are antler, buffalo and other big bones from the muskeg and clam shells from the river."

That gun has indeed, a HUGE COOL factor.

[Dennis Glazener]

Richard,
What material did you use for the ivory looking inlays?

Doesn't he mention piano keys?
Dennis

[Daryl]

I guess I missed that in this and the original post.  I did find this, though.

"The bone in the above pictures was a challenge, as old bone although the right colour, is very brittle and wants to chip out.
Hardest part of the one above was drawing the little animals like they did back then;  Half comical and always running about in a most unnatural but lively manner.
To be honest, if they looked like Real animals, I'd have got it wrong for this type of work.  Once I could draw them, I could bring them to life."

[Pukka Bundook]

Sorry blokes for the very slow reply!

Dennis,

Very kind of you to attach the photos to that old thread. Thank You.

Small-patch,
Most inlays are bone, and antler, plus clam shell, but some around the breech Are ivory from Piano keys as mentioned above.
(Thanks for answering for me Dennis!!)
The only inlays made ov ivory are those two, either ised of the tang, and the three around the toe of the stock.
See pics;