Did 28 Gauge American Fowlers Exist?

[Panzerschwein]

I have been toying with the idea of having a 28 gauge (.54 caliber smoothbore) American fowling piece commissioned as a dedicated squirrel gun as that is one of my favorite things to do ever.

But, were original 18th century American-built fowling pieces ever made in such a caliber? I understand 12 gauge was common and other larger sizes. From our discussion here it also seems 1/2” bore guns were mentioned in period literature for use on squirrels. But a 28 gauge seems to be a little bit more ideal for the task.

I am just curious as I would not want to own a historically inauthentic gun. Thanks!

[rich pierce]

Do you own Grinslade’s book on colonial fowlers? You should if you are interested in American fowlers.

[Panzerschwein]

Do you own Grinslade’s book on colonial fowlers? You should if you are interested in American fowlers.

Does he talk about specific calibers/gauges therein?

[JV Puleo]

I had a fowler years ago with a rather small bore...it was dated 1794 and I'm sure it was one of the first British imports after the restrictions on exporting arms to America were lifted.

[rich pierce]

Do you own Grinslade’s book on colonial fowlers? You should if you are interested in American fowlers.

Does he talk about specific calibers/gauges therein?

The bore size of every gun shown is given. You have a lot of interest and gaining knowledge by reading and synthesizing from seeing and studying many guns grows knowledge much more than question and answer.

[Bill Madden]

Panzerschwein,
Like Rich said, consult Grinslades's book. He lists Kentucky fowlers in 54 cal. (28 ga) by Fainot, Haga (attributed), J.P. Beck and Lechler. There are a number in smaller calibers , as well. Also shown are a few New England fowlers in 54 cal.
Bill

[Hungry Horse]

I have a barrel that is about 30” long that Turner Kirkland bought in Belgium along with a ton of other antique unused gun parts. It is 47 caliber octagon to round and smooth bored. I don’t know what 47 caliber works out to  in shotgun gauges, but it a lot smaller than 28 gauge.


Hungry Horse

[oldtravler61]

  Yes they did.... If you are going to commission a gun. Please do research on what you really want. It will help whoever is making your gun for you.
Also go to a few gun shows or a gun store that handles muzzle loaders like Dixon's or Log Cabin and handle a few before you commit to purchase.

[smart dog]

Hi,
French hunting guns used in North America usually were 28 bore.

dave

[Panzerschwein]

Thanks, gang. The Grinslade book has been added to Santa’s list for shopping.

[backsplash75]

For what it's worth, after culling info from several 18th century stores operating in Virginia 1750-1776 (total citation data pool being slim; only 25 guns), it looks like the most common/standard bore sizes for imported English fowlers were 1/2", 3/4" and 5/8" (.50,.75 and .62 or 20g), mostly with 4' or so barrels. Military muskets of course skew to .69-72ish for French and .75-80ish for English & Dutch. English trading guns tended to be roughly 20 gauge.

There is a Rev War era document from the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety that indicates available smooth bores surveyed ranged from 13 (.710) to 30 gauge (.538). Quite a mess to make up cartridges for.

[Daryl]

On top of all of that, are the locally produced "smooth" rifles produced in the Northern USA by gun makes in and around Pennsylvania & NY, etc.
There was ordered in good quantity from the 'stores' in the WEST, St. Louis, San Francisco and likely by many Fort's as well. These would be used
both as rifles with solid ball as well as with shot for small game. Bore sizes were listed as small as 50 to the pound, which is roughly .45 cal.

[redheart]

In the book: "For Trade and Treaty" I Found this relic condition "Barnett 1815 Northwest Gun".  They miked the bore at .559, but who knows, it might have been a .54 cal. (28 gauge) when new. 

[Clark Badgett]

Hi,
French hunting guns used in North America usually were 28 bore.

dave

If you are referring to the Fusil de chasse, then that would be the ball size, not the bore size. The bore size was usually closer to 20-22 bore. All French guns were called by the ball size, not actual bore size, and the balls were usually several sizes down from the bore.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Though your question is specific to American fowlers, I have a relic of a Northwest gun from 1865 that has a .54 cal bore.

[redheart]

Awesome Taylor, Thanks!
I'm glad the one I showed isn't just a one off! 
I imagine it's a capper. Mind telling us the maker and barrel length?