"have to be" New England Fowler?

[hhughh]

Have been looking at a New England Fowler from Chambers as a project, but was wondering if there were any suggestions as to "Southern"-ing it a little? Been reading the posts on requesting the stock w/out the sideplate inletted, so thought this might open up some options for me. Just a thought. Thanks for the input.

Hugh

 

[rich pierce]

Most experts agree that there were very few colonial fowlers made in the South. They imported British fowlers cheaper than they could make them. Not clear to me why New Englanders did not do the same.

Of course, it is possible and likely that some British fowlers were restocked in the South when the stock was broken. If the smith copied a British stock design, the wrist would extend far down through the buttstock, the underbelly would be round, etc.

 

[aragorn]

I'd suggest you invest in Grinslade's book Flintlock Fowlers, available from TOW. I wish he wouldn't call Pennsylvania fowlers 'Kentucky fowlers' (none of them were made anywhere near Kentucky), but otherwise it's the best available compilation of photos and descriptions I know of. There's no southern fowlers section, for the reason Rich Pierce notes above, but the chapter on 'British style fowlers' probably gives an idea of what would have been available in the south.

 

[DrTimboone]

I am building an "English style fowler" at the moment. Grinslade's book is terrific. :thumbsup:

The Chamber's kit I am thinking about building is the smooth rifle. It is long and slender and "Sweet!!" based on the Newcomer (once believed Bullard) rifle in the museum at Williamsburg. When I first started building gunds I went and saw the Newcomer gun and almost couldn't beleve how slender it is. :applause: ........

Anyway, I think the smooth rifle might have a little southern in it..... no way to really know but it just sorta hums Dixie!!!! to me. :rotf: