Carolina Style smoothbore

[bighunter]

If you were looking at getting a Carolina Style smoothbore built, who are some builders to look into? Not looking anything fancy, just highly functional and period accurate. Thanks for the help.

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

@Rob M.

There are more pics of his artwork on here than any other I think.

 

[Notchy Bob]

You won’t go wrong with @Rob M. He posts on here frequently and he has a large following. I would not hesitate to order a Carolina gun from Rob. He knows his stuff!

However, if you want to cast a wider net, check out Mike Brooks Flintlocks. You can find his website easily with a quick Google search. He is a master builder. Mr. Brooks is also a member of this forum.

Also look at the Wilson Trade Gun by Caywood Gunmakers. This is a high-grade Carolina gun, a “Type G,” with a cast “serpent” rather than the heavy sheet brass sideplate. I have a Northwest gun from Caywood, and it is first rate. He uses his own proprietary locks, which are very authentic and of excellent quality. Some custom builders (like Don Bruton) use Caywood locks.

I don’t think you’ll go wrong with any of these three.

Notchy Bob

 

[Rob M.]

You rang ?! LOL !! Lots of pics on F@ceb00k page Miller Muzzleloaders too ....

 

[wiscoaster]

....check out Mike Brooks Flintlocks. ....

Unfortunately, everything offered on his site is "SOLD". A credit to the product; but in that case the OP is probably looking at a custom build; and doesn't fit what's outlined for what's wanted by the OP.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Unfortunately, everything offered on his site is "SOLD". A credit to the product; but in that case the OP is probably looking at a custom build; and doesn't fit what's outlined for what's wanted by the OP.

I'm retired. I haven't built a gun since 2022.

 

[Notchy Bob]

For them who might be interested, Lee Burke wrote the definitive monograph on Carolina guns in the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 65: 2-16: "18th Century English Trade Guns in the South, or the Carolina Gun..."

Regarding Mr. Brooks, there are some nice photos and a succinct description of one of his Carolina guns on the Contemporary Makers Blogspot: Mike Brooks Carolina Gun

Notchy Bob

 

[Notchy Bob]

I'm retired. I haven't built a gun since 2022.

Well, dang. This popped up while I was typing.

Enjoy your retirement!

Notchy Bob

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Well, dang. This popped up while I was typing.

Enjoy your retirement!

Notchy Bob

Too busy to have fun now.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Here's a recent example of Rob's work, less the lock on the wrong side ...

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/62-cal-48”-barrel-carolina-type-g-by-rob-miller.169264/
An 'all shots in 1 ragged hole' shooter she is, woo hoo!

 

[Florida airgunner]

I believe Clay Smith has a carolina smoothbore kit on his website if your into those as well

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

For them who might be interested, Lee Burke wrote the definitive monograph on Carolina guns in the American Society of Arms Collectors Bulletin 65: 2-16: "18th Century English Trade Guns in the South, or the Carolina Gun..."

Regarding Mr. Brooks, there are some nice photos and a succinct description of one of his Carolina guns on the Contemporary Makers Blogspot: Mike Brooks Carolina Gun

Notchy Bob

That was/is a great gun. I actually managed to keep hold of it for a couple years. Shot a couple deer with it. That was way back when I could still find beech, I really like those guns in beech. It was supposed to have a 48" barrel but Bob Hoyt goofed and made it 42 5/8" and sold it to me for $100.

 

[54ball]

Clay Smith makes a nice gun.
His Basic Carolina is a great gun but it’s a little too fat.
This is mainly due to the more common 42” Barrel profile.
His “ Bumford” is much more “PC” trade gun.
Mike Brooks has been mentioned and his Carolinas are great.
Jack Brooks also made Carolinas

Carolinas are loooong slim and light. I do believe most were around 24 bore.

For period images one is depicted in the “Death of Wolf” painting.
That’s the basis of Clay Smith’s red painted sun rise decorated Carolina.

Carolinas......
My personal opinion is they are the funnest gun from that period.
Some were found on Blackbeard’s Queen Anne’s Revenge.
Pirates
Patriots
Indians
Boy’s militia
Blue guns
Red guns
Yellow spotted guns
Vines paired on
Sunbursts
Preferred by the Indians over the French junk....

They are just freakin awesome.