Got a cool barrel, now what?

[Roy]

While away at the CLA show I picked up a new barrel for myself. Its a 20 gauge 50" round that tapers down to virtually nothing Ed Rayle barrel. I am working on a British fowler now, really loving it, leaning toward, but I'm not sure if I want to build another. Everything has raced through my mind from trade guns to Kentucky fowlers. Oh I have been going through the books. I do happen to have a piece of plain maple that is long enough for this barrel. So any ideas? I guess I should add that I'm not too fond of French stock designs due to the it looks like it would kick me in the teeth aspect.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

You might find some inspiration in "Flintlock Fowlers-The First Guns Made In America" by Tom Grinslade. There are many guns depicted in several
classes or schools. The photographs are excellent and well worth the price.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

If by French design, you mean the fusil de chasse, it may look different, but it is a great piece.

The first one I saw in the flesh, I thought that looks a little weird, until I shouldered it, was the most naturally pointing gun ever.

I build one up a few years ago, and it has become my favorite, other's mileage may vary, but IMHO it is one of the great ones.

 

[Roy]

got it and have drooled over most of the pages.

 

[Roy]

Most of the French guns are beautiful to look at, but the slope of the butt appears that it would ride up the shoulder when fired.
From what I can tell it looks like most of the New England Fowlers have a lot of French influence as well. :hmm: I do have a very New Englandish style triggergaurd and side plate though.

 

[Mike Brooks]

How big is the barrel at the breech?

 

[Roy]

Mike,

Its 1 1/4" at the breech, tapers down to .890 at about 12" and then its a straight taper to .757 at the muzzle.

This leaves me enough to file a flat for the lock or file both sides to match, and a possible band at the breech. I thought that it had a fair bit of potential.

 

[Roy]

May just do a simple trade gun of sorts with it. I need more books :rotf:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

My vote is for a fowler. F&I period, maybe. Or maybe a little Dutch influence. So many options.....

 

[tg]

I would also throw in a word of defense for the French style it is one of the nicest guns to shoulder and aim I have ever shot.

 

[Roy]

I am still considering it, just not that much experience with them :thumbsup:

Well I guess there is one thing if I don't care for it I can always start over again :grin:

 

[Stophel]

French guns are fine IF they are built right!!!

 

[Roy]

Anyone have a "good" French pattern to go by? :grin: :v

 

[gof]

My two cents says late 17th century Bucanneer musket.

GoF

 

[tg]

Not sure where the best source for patterns is but that long round barrel would be ideal for an early (17th century) French gun but the Maple stock kind of shoots it in the foot if Historical continuity is an issue, unless it is a restock, which one could probably pull of but walnut would be much better. The same would apply for any European gun, may be a fowler from one of the colonial areas who have some dated examples of early guns in maple?

 

Since ya got a maple blank, I would go with an early New England fowler, or get a walnut blank and go fusil fin. The drop is not a problem to shoot. Only problem with my fusil de chasse is me, I keep shooting about a foot low at thirty yards, and with clay birds I keep shooting where they used to be, instead of where they're gonna be. :rotf: Just got to practice more.
Bill

 

[Roy]

I think the New England fowler is the way to go. I'll have to do a bit more research though.
I'm not limited to using the maple blank, just what I had that I know was long enough for that barrel. with 20+ stock blanks in the rafters I am sure that I could find a piece of walnut that would work.

 

[Roy]

Sort of entertaining to go over all of the options. Usually its more of this is the gun I want to build, so I need these parts. But here I have bought the barrel and now its what gun would be best suited for this barrel.

 

[Rebel]

How about a Nice Doglock fowler. Kind of like what Middlesex has, only a Nice one. Would be an interesting gun.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

The first thing I learned about my fusil de chasse was to look over the barrel, (at the front sight) not down it. After I got used to it, became a natural thing. Other's mileage may vary, but works well for me on ball or shot.