Flintlock Sporting Smoothbores

[Feltwad]

The smoothbore flintlock is commonly referred to has a fowler but here in the UK the name fowler has a different meaning , if were take the name fowler this is referred to a large bore gun with a bore size of 10 to a 4 bore solely for the shooting of wildfowl . Guns with a smooth bore size of 12 down to a 32 bore are known has sporting guns and not fowlers these guns depending on the bore size are used for shooting game such has pheasant , partridge . grouse and such .It must be noticed that the shooting of ball from these smaller bores is not allowed here but only on a rifle range and must be entered on a Firearms Certificate. Enclose are images of two flintlock sporting guns
Feltwad
Harrison sporting gun

Conway sporting gun

 

[nhmoose]

Both look great! I like the Conway with the Damascus/twist barrel.
I live near Conway NH.

 

[hanshi]

I don't think I've ever referred to a "smoothbore" as a fowler. I refer to them as "muskets", smoothbores or just (mine) "Ol' Loudmouf".

 

[Feltwad]

Both look great! I like the Conway with the Damascus/twist barrel.
I live near Conway NH.

The gun in the image is by Conway of Manchester UK the bore is on the large size for a sporting gun it shoots well and has a fast ignition and a special designed breech plug more often seen on percussion smooth bores
Feltwad

 

[Artificer]

The smoothbore flintlock is commonly referred to has a fowler but here in the UK the name fowler has a different meaning , if were take the name fowler this is referred to a large bore gun with a bore size of 10 to a 4 bore solely for the shooting of wildfowl . Guns with a smooth bore size of 12 down to a 32 bore are known has sporting guns and not fowlers these guns depending on the bore size are used for shooting game such has pheasant , partridge . grouse and such .It must be noticed that the shooting of ball from these smaller bores is not allowed here but only on a rifle range and must be entered on a Firearms Certificate. Enclose are images of two flintlock sporting guns
Feltwad
Harrison sporting gun

View attachment 149057

Conway sporting gun
View attachment 149059

Wow, two FINE sporting guns! May I ask about when they were made? Also, what "grade" would they be considered? Thank You.

Gus

 

[Rudyard]

Ide say both 1815 1820s ish late and good grades perhaps close to' Best The 'round tail flush lock the latest is my guestimate . But Felt wad would know his guns best not every shooter went for the copper caps or other "detonators'
Cheers Rudyard

 

[Napo7031]

I have purchase a Conway 16 gauge Fowler recently and was curious if anyone knew where I could find more information on the gun maker or any information on trying to get an idea of the year? Thank you.

 

[Kansas Kid]

I refer to those as shotguns.

 

[Rudyard]

Ide say its sitting early 19th C 1815 plus minus No listing in Blackmore book on London makers .But Bailey & Nie s English provincial Gunmakers list a Samuel Conway Stockport Cheshire 1840 . A Thomas Manchester 1803-1852 ,William Altringham Cheshire 1847 , A William Newcastle 1817-1865 Or it could simply be a retailer my guess is Manchester If its Birmingham proofs its likley him if it should have London proofs it could be Newcastle as it was faster to get by shipping to London .Than by road & canals to Brum. Trust that helps .
Rudyard

 

[Napo7031]

Ide say its sitting early 19th C 1815 plus minus No listing in Blackmore book on London makers .But Bailey & Nie s English provincial Gunmakers list a Samuel Conway Stockport Cheshire 1840 . A Thomas Manchester 1803-1852 ,William Altringham Cheshire 1847 , A William Newcastle 1817-1865 Or it could simply be a retailer my guess is Manchester If its Birmingham proofs its likley him if it should have London proofs it could be Newcastle as it was faster to get by shipping to London .Than by road & canals to Brum. Trust that helps .
Rudyard

Thank you, that’s a lot of help for me to start researching. It does have the London proofs on the barrel.

 

[Rudyard]

Pleased to help , Guns made near costal ports that carried goods such a coal where effectively a better bet . Hull & Beverley makers for example used the London for that reason .Run it by' Felt Wad ' he knows these guns very well . I E provincial guns & he lives up that way near Geordey land . Regards Rudyard

 

[victor#0]

Those were a common trade gun during the 1800's here in Alaska.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

You have one a lovely job on the barrels Feltwad.
Top notch work!

 

[Britsmoothy]

shooting of ball from these smaller bores is not allowed here but only on a rifle range and must be entered on a Firearms Certificate

Can you please direct me to the specific law that supports your comment?

 

[Rancocas]

Nice!
How about "fusil"? I mostly use fusil and fowler interchangeably for a "sporting gun", with "musket" being a smoothbore military arm.
Am I wrong?

Take a look at my post "Austrian Fowler" in the Original Antique Firearm section.

 

[Pukka Bundook]

Britsmoothie,
I recall this is the case from when I still lived over there.
May I suggest looking it up so Feltwad's thread does not go any further off topic?
It has already been badly mauled with off topic stuff!

Cheers,
Rich.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Britsmoothie,
I recall this is the case from when I still lived over there.
May I suggest looking it up so Feltwad's thread does not go any further off topic?
It has already been badly mauled with off topic stuff!

Cheers,
Rich.

Fair enough, thank you.