12 Ga. Fowler

[F.G. Ford]

I have gathered most pieces to make up my first flint fowler.
I would like to make the fowler with iron hardware.
My problem, all I've ever seen is brass hardware.
My barrel is short (30")
Would any body have some ideas where I may find some pictures of an Iron Fowler.
Best Regards
Old Ford

 

[rich pierce]

30" is short, so you have to go with a later gun if you want to stay close to originals. A half-stock (walnut of course) English fowler with iron furniture (pineapple guard) would be a good choice. This could be late flint or early percussion.

I have the same dilemma; picked up a 30" round 12 ga barrel (original) and although I planted it in good soil and water it regularly, it does not seem to grow.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

For English originals in books look at the British Gunmakers series by Neal and Back.

For correct contemporary work look at Mike Brooks' guns. Here is one he built for my son. http://www.fowlingguns.com/newest.html

Here is some online looks at some of the Neal collection that was sold in 2005 http://www.bonhams.com/cgi-bin/pub...sContinent=EUR&screen=catalogue&iSaleNo=13738


As far as the 30" barrel is concerned, I was looking at 2-3 of them from the 1690-1740 period last night. They did exist in small numbers. The finest example I have seen was from the Neal collection and was a 1740 duck gun of with 30" barrel made by William Reynolds. It can be seen in "Great British Gunmakers 1740-1790, John Twigg and the Packington Guns". It is of 6 bore.
Neal says in the book

"It weighs nine pounds and handles like the fine sporting gun it is. These short, heavy bore guns are of special interest in that they show that by no means every sportsman who wished for a duck gun was satisfied with the normal, comparatively common, long barreled gun."

 

[F.G. Ford]

Thank you all for the input, it sheds a better light on my endevour.
Old Ford

 

[MercerLake]

:v Try www.thegunworks.com , they have a pretty complete on-line catalog with pictures. Thier paper catalog has excelent pictures and they carry a full line of iron furniture in stock.
Sounds like a great project. :v

 

[Many Klatch]

I had an original English flint 12 ga smoothbore. Wish I still had it. It was a half stock and the barrel was about 30" long. The gun dated from 1812. It had all iron hardware.

Sounds like you are good to go if you do 1812 and after.

Many Klatch

 

[rabjr]

I highly recommend this book for anyone planning to build a Fowler, for ideas.
http://trackofthewolf.com/(S(edlcq...catId=4&subId=24&styleId=69&partNum=BOOK-FF-S

 

[rkmeyer]

I totally agree Swampy, that book is loaded with information and quality pictures. I seem to refer to it quite a bit looking for ideas etc., well worth the money too.
Dusty

 

[rabjr]

Absolutely, talk about a book to drool over. I had Roy pretty much duplicate NE18'S carvings on my fowler. Had to guess in a couple spots but it came out gorgeous! :thumbsup:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

It might be a chance to try a fowler with a wooden under rib. Lots of them built in New England in the early half stock era.