I just completed this fowling piece for my only grandson, who is 10 years old—well, nearly completed. I will engrave his initials in the sterling thumb piece yet and shoot it in, which may mean tweaking the barrel to correct the point of impact. As a question, do you discover the point of impact best with ball or shot, shot being the most likely load he will use?
The particulars are as follows: I used a nice hard piece of curly sugar maple plank, a Rice Dolep .54 cal or nearly 28 ga. x 41" barrel, and a Chambers Queen Anne lock. The butt plate is from Dave Keck, modified to a fowler style and a Goehring trigger guard. The sights and screws were purchased; I guess the rest is my handiwork. The overall length is 55", the length of pull is 12-1/2", and the weight upon completion is 4# 13 oz. The finish is aqua fortis, lye, ammonia, baking soda, various stains, and 3 applications of Permalyn sealer. I did use some brass black but stayed with more of a new look than aged. Ian is tickled pink.
