Just finished this fowling gun inspired by several New England fowlers in Grinslade’s wonderful book. I’d be happy to have any critique you wish to offer.
It is built around a 48-inch .55 caliber Hoyt barrel and a cherry stock. I used a Davis Jager lock with their “continental” cock because that’s what I had in my parts box. I did some file work on the tail, nose, pan, frizzen and frizzen spring finial. I made the buttplate, sideplate, silver front sight, trigger guard and thimbles. I haven’t figured out engraving yet so had Mike Brooks do a quick job for me. The cherry was colored with lye based oven cleaner. As is my wont, I gave it an aged finish to make it look like a well-kept antique, at least from a few feet away. I still have a hard time bashing the wood but I’m getting there! Not sure what the difference is between aging the metal and the wood but there’s a psychological difference for me somehow. Perhaps my childhood has something to do with it; “Robert, careful around that furniture or you’ll scratch it! [SMACK]”
Note: In the pics you may see tiny nits on the finish. That’s actually not in the finish it is a misty rain that was in the air as I took the pictures. Also, yes, the ramrod is short – it is from another gun as a placeholder in the picture till I find a blank long enough.
