Dutch hunting gun

[Tommy Bruce]

While looking at Tom Grinsdale's book on Colonial Fowlers I noticed in the New England section a couple of photos of a "Dutch hunting gun". Mr. Grinsdale doesn't go into the details like he does on the other guns for this one. I was wondering if any of you folks had any more info on this gun such as bore and barrel size. The lock looks somewhat germanic similer To the Chambers early Germanic lock. I like the looks of this gun and would like to have one built. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Do you mean the one on page 29? If so, bores covered a fairly wide range, but probably between .62 and .80. Barrels were quite long-- four feet and more--but they often weighed in the eight pound range or less. I don't know your price range, but there are a number of makers who could build one for you. Mike Brooks, Allan Sandy and Eric Kettenburg come to mind. I hope this is of some help to you.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Yep, That's it. Fig. 14. It was made by H. Sleur. I think that for someone portraying a New England Ranger during the F & I period or farmer falling in for militia duty it would be a great gun to use. I have a 48" getz barrel in .72 cal and a walnut stock blank to use or a 44" colrain barrel and maple stock in .58 cal.

 

[Teleoceras]

Gents:

Do you mean the one on page 29? If so, bores covered a fairly wide range, but probably between .62 and .80. Barrels were quite long-- four feet and more--but they often weighed in the eight pound range or less. I don't know your price range, but there are a number of makers who could build one for you. Mike Brooks, Allan Sandy and Eric Kettenburg come to mind. I hope this is of some help to you.

I would also recommend Leonard Day as well. Building the Dutch guns are his specialty. I love the .62 Doglock that he built for me last year.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[Tommy Bruce]

That's cool!!!! Leonard Day does build some nice guns at reasonable prices I might add. I would like to try this myself but I think I will probably limit myself to kits for a while. I just think it would be cool to have something a little different than what everyone's using today, yet a gun that would've been common in the 18th century. I think the dutch gun that I mentioned would fit the bill.

 

[Wehrmacht]

I think that would be an excellent choice for a militia farmer during the period. Note that it has a bayonet lug,so there's your answer! I bet that the barrel is at least 48"-52". For a New England fowler I think a cherry stock would be more correct,but even here it's a safe bet that maple was also used at times. Walnut....I don't know.

The New England Fowler on page 52, NE#20, was just made for me by my very good friend David Dodds of Selinsgrove,Pennsylvania. Mike Lea presently has it doing the engraving. Ed Rayle shortened the barrel from 56 inches to 51 inches simply because I ain't gonna have a gun taller than I am :haha:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

David Dodds, Mike Lea and Ed Rayle??? You can't go wrong with any of those fellows. I'd love to see some pics when It is finished.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

a New England fowler I think a cherry stock would be more correct,but even here it's a safe bet that maple was also used at times.

Peter Kalm's Travels in North America recounted his time in the colonies from 1748 to 1751. In New York, while traveling up the Hudson River, he remarked that local gun smiths would use no other wood but cherry. (and the Dutch were overwhelmingly the predominate local population at the time)

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Great looking piece, would love to have one.

 

Tommy,
I also made the mistake of getting a copy of the Grinslade book. I fell in love with the Hudson Valley fowlers and had to have one. Ken Netting made me one in .62 cal with a 72" barrel. The gun is 7'5" overall and weighs in at 11 pounds. Used walnut for the stock and he forged all of the hardware. The lock started out as a Pedersoli tower but has had the plate lenghthened and deepened and reshaped and then the cast engraving was filed and the plate filed smooth.It shoots as well as it looks. Can forward some pics but don't know how to post them.
Mark

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Mark pics would be great. My e-mail is [email protected] . I'm on the list to have Ken build a gun for me. I should be one of the first few he does when he starts building again this fall. I've been back and forth over what type to have built but as I'm getting close to finishing my Chamber's Virginia rifle I've decided to go with a fowler. I like the dutch gun and also like the French influenced New England fowlers as well. I spent a day at Ken's shop over the winter came to two conclusions: One, he is builds and excellent gun at an incredible price and two, Ken is a true gentlemen who is very humble about his works.

 

Tommy,
You have spoken correctly of Ken. He and I have been friends for quite a while and I've never known him to be anything but a gentleman, and artist. He has built a number of Dutch style fowlers and does a good job. I will send you some pics of my Hudson Valley. If you know how, and want to post them, please do so.
Mark

 

[Teleoceras]

TANSTAAFL:

Great looking piece, would love to have one.

That particular design is one of the few that Leonard Day builds regularly. He usually builds several a year. You could always give him a call if you want and see when he going to do another bunch of them.

I'll tell you one thing, Helga is one sweet shooter! Well balanced and pretty accurate for a smoothie.

Slowmatch Forever!
Teleoceras

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Thanks for the info.