Latest build - English export fowling piece

[rich pierce]

This is based off a gun in Neumann’s book on arms of the American Revolution. Made to a customer’s specifications - dark walnut stock. Large front sight for older eyes. It has a Rice 20 ga barrel and a Chambers Early Ketland lock. The buttplate was modified from a casting, and trigger guard as supplied. Customer wanted this side plate which is tall vertically and necessitated taking it to the lower edge of the side panel. It weighs 6.7 pounds. Engraving is my weak spot - but ok for an export gun. I need to practice diligently as I only build 2 guns a year and have to try to get back up to speed.

 

[Bucolic Buffalo]

I can only see the image 3035. The others I cannot see. Maybe because they are ran together without a space?

Really like the trigger guard. Black walnut can be so very dark. What finish did you use?

 

[rich pierce]

I can only see the image 3035. The others I cannot see. Maybe because they are ran together without a space?

Really like the trigger guard. Black walnut can be so very dark. What finish did you use?

Hmm I see all the pictures. The customer likes “dark chocolate” so I stained with nut brown analine dye stain, diluted 1/3 with rubbing alcohol. Then coats of oil-based varnish. I’d have gone more reddish if it was for me.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

Thats to pretty to use

 

[Bucolic Buffalo]

They are all there now. Look great. I can see the red in the color. Subtle, but it's there.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I would be proud and happy to own that fine Fowler

 

[longcruise]

Sooo nice. It really shows how attractive a relatively plain gun can be.

I realize that the Side plate is the customer's choice and I ask this more to clarify my own ideas of the period, but isn't it a bit on the baroque side?

 

[longcruise]

And, what varnish did you use?

 

[dave_person]

Hi Rich,
Nice gun! I am guessing it is #154.MM in Neumann's book? So it is an English export gun restocked in the colonies in cherry (the original). Hence, the slight "Roman nose" stock and short baluster wrist.

dave

 

[Dusty_Traveler]

Beautiful! Huzzah!

 

[rickystl]

Great looking gun Rich.

Rick

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

Beautiful!

 

[Flint1]

Beautiful fowler! Is the engraving of the horn and bow on the lock just something you or your customer wanted, or is it a true representation of something or a builder of that period?

 

[Notchy Bob]

Outstanding work, Rich! The engraving looks great!

Notchy Bob

 

[rich pierce]

Hi Rich,
Nice gun! I am guessing it is #154.MM in Neumann's book? So it is an English export gun restocked in the colonies in cherry (the original). Hence, the slight "Roman nose" stock and short baluster wrist.

dave

Yes, that was the basis for the build. Customer wanted walnut stained dark, so that’s what he got. Nice and light at 6.7 pounds. I love the light fowler barrels we can get now.

 

[rich pierce]

Beautiful fowler! Is the engraving of the horn and bow on the lock just something you or your customer wanted, or is it a true representation of something or a builder of that period?

Very common on English guns. Often on buttplates too. The images I got of the original it was based on were poor but this is appropriate for the period.

 

[rich pierce]

Sooo nice. It really shows how attractive a relatively plain gun can be.

I realize that the Side plate is the customer's choice and I ask this more to clarify my own ideas of the period, but isn't it a bit on the baroque side?

Cast brass side plates like this with military motifs were sometimes used on English guns of the period. The original on which this was based had one that is a bit different. The customer supplied this side plate, the guard, and a buttplate that had to re-shaped.

I stained the stock with diluted nut brown analine dye stain because the customer likes a dark chocolate stock. I’d have gone a little redder and lighter for myself but I don’t need another fowler! It’s finished with an oil-based varnish.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Nice clean work Rich. Any pictures of your rod pipes?

 

[rich pierce]

Nice clean work Rich. Any pictures of your rod pipes?

The thimbles are from Mike Lea. I didn’t have details of the thimbles on the original and decided to use these.

 

[reddogge]

Very nice. I imagine that stock looks lighter and more colorful in the natural daylight.