British style fowler completed

[rich pierce]

I’ve finished a “British Style Fowler”, characteristics of fowling pieces made in and around New York City, the Long Island Sound, down the coast to Philadelphia. These had a specific carving style around the tang and the rear termination of the trigger guard. Most earky ones had some swell at the entry thimble like a Brown Bess. This one is patterned mostly after one in Grinslade’s book on colonial fowlers from about 1770-1780. Pics are a little dark - I was trying to avoid glare and shadows. 46”, .58 caliber. It’s scaled back a bit from the heavy fowling guns to fit the customer. We used a Chambers English style lock.

[Daniel Coats]

Neat research and build to fit. I really like the result!

[MeliusCreekTrapper]

Very nice, neat work. That is great looking fowler, bet it handles nice.

[HSmithTX]

Very well done,  I really like the carving. 

[Craig Wilcox]

You've still got your magic touch, Rich.  Beautiful work.

[Adrie luke]

Rich

Is it walnut?
I think this feels perfect to shoot

[rich pierce]

Rich

Is it walnut?
I think this feels perfect to shoot

No, fairly plain maple. The customer wanted it a bit dark.

[Robert Wolfe]

Nice clean work Rich.

[T*O*F]

We used a Chambers English style lock.

Who's we?

[rich pierce]

We used a Chambers English style lock.

Who's we?

Me, myself, and I!  Just kidding. The customer and I went over some possibilities and decided on this lock.

[TF Black]

Looks terrific, Rich!

[Daryl]

Now that looks like a comfortable gun to shoot with either shot of ball.
Good work Rich.

[Bill in Md]

Like the workmanship in this piece, I'll wager the off hand shooting comfort of it is awesome.....Bravo!

[X62503]

Love it!

[TommyG]

Real nice work Rich.  Did you use a V tool for your carving at the tang and entry pipe?

[rich pierce]

Real nice work Rich.  Did you use a V tool for your carving at the tang and entry pipe?

Yes, I used my own V tool made from a triangular file. I’ve found a V chisel works better for me than the stabbing method for a lot of situations. Mainly I get uniform depth and it’s quick - very quick for outlining. There are other carving designs where I’d stab - maybe. I think it’s a matter of familiarity and comfort as well as the desired appearance of the final product.

[ed lundquist]

Fine job!

[smart dog]

Hi Rich,
Really nice gun!!  It is very plausible as a colonial product but by someone who knew his business.

dave

[alacran]

That is very well put together Rich. Clean inlets, I like the fact that it looks like the way it would have when it came out of the shop in the late 18th century.

[Bob Gerard]

Handsome piece!  A nice caliber as well.
That stock has a nice drop and I’ll bet it comes up right up to eye.  Where do you get the blank or is it cut from a plank?
Your customer should be quite happy.

[rich pierce]

Handsome piece!  A nice caliber as well.
That stock has a nice drop and I’ll bet it comes up right up to eye.  Where do you get the blank or is it cut from a plank?
Your customer should be quite happy.

I started from a blank. Went old school and hand inletted the barrel, ramrod channel, drilled the hole.

[Doug Frank]

Very nice work, I love the style and carving of these, and have pored over them in Grinslade’s book.  Rather boring of me, but I wonder what market demands or conditions led to these versus someone purchasing an imported English fowler?

Doug

[rich pierce]

Very nice work, I love the style and carving of these, and have pored over them in Grinslade’s book.  Rather boring of me, but I wonder what market demands or conditions led to these versus someone purchasing an imported English fowler?

Doug

Excellent question, and applicable to Hudson Valley and New England fowlers as well made before the Revolutionary War. My speculation: there was work for gunsmiths. Guns needed fixing, parts replaced, even re-stocked. There were spare parts laying around from wrecked guns that were not even 50 years old. Gun barrels and locks and furniture were available from importers and gunsmiths here were trained in casting furniture. When not repairing guns, why not build some?

I’m thinking most imported trade and fowling guns were not water fowling guns. Smaller in gauge and heft. But that doesn’t explain the smaller bore colonial smoothbores predating the Revolutionary War that are not clearly made from recycled parts. All guesswork.

[Tim Crosby]

 A Beauty Rich, very well done.

   Tim

[smart dog]

Hi Doug,
The market conditions that could produce such a gun rather than import an English made one was the embargo on British goods during the Rev War period.   

dave