Looking for a Smoothbore builder

[Pee Wee]

I would like some names of the top $6000 builders of 1760-1790 smooth bore, would prefer no more than a one year wait time to start build. I don't want to much drop, want .58-.62 cal barrel. I would have to talk to the builder as far as fittings, carving, wood and etc.

I want length of pull 12 1/2-13" which is short for a lot of people. I want something that fits me right that was why I had said $6000 builder. I'm wanting something a very rich New England or English Merchant would have to show off.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Look up Mike Brooks ... but who knows the wait.

If on Facebook, look up Rob Miller (or PM me for his contact info) ... you'll still get all that, less only 1/3rd that of the price you mention.

 

[rich pierce]

A lot depends on what you’re looking for. I’d not start with such a wide net as “smoothbore”. Pick a historic period and style that’s appealing.

Hudson Valley fowler? Ken Gahagan, Mike Brooks, Ken Netting. It’s possible none are taking on work. But, these are usually big bore guns.

Something nice, and English? Dave Person, 3 years out.

New England fowler? Eric Von Aschwege (not sure he’s taking work). Mike Brooks if he’s taking work. I’m making them but more in the $2500-$3000 range.

Club-butt fowler? Mike Brooks as above. I’ve got 3 planned and will keep 1.

Pennsylvania fowler? Depends on Lancaster, York, Berks, Bucks, Lehigh,,or Allentown/ Christians Spring. But Allen Martin, Mark Wheland, Brian Lemaster and others come to mind. I’ve got one or two more Fainot (of Lancaster) builds in me.

Trade gun? You don’t need to spend that much.

 

[Brokennock]

I would have said most of the people that @rich pierce mentioned, but he said it better than I could have.

I dream to have a gun by Dave Person.... Pipe dream though.

 

[Brokennock]

I would like some names of the top $6000 builders of 1760-1790 smooth bore, would prefer no more than a one year wait time to start build. I don't want to much drop, want .58-.62 cal barrel. I would have to talk to the builder as far as fittings, carving, wood and etc.

A lot depends on what you’re looking for. I’d not start with such a wide net as “smoothbore”. Pick a historic period and style that’s appealing.

This is really good advice before you even start looking for names.

 

[springfield art]

Tried Tenn. Valley Arms, TVA? A truly custom shop for high-end could be Cabin Creek Muzzleloaders in York Co., PA. They are true craftspeople, if you have a budget that full, you could not go wrong with them.

 

[rich pierce]

Agree, everything I’ve seen by Cabin Creek is outstanding.

 

[Capt. Jas.]

Don't really think you will find a top builder of a 6k range gun with less than a year wait unless he's selling one of his prior builds for the widow of one of his past customers.

 

[Ballshooter]

All I can say is wow 6k! Must be nice lol only in my dreams.

 

[Fitzhugh Williams]

My personal favorite is Mike Miler, maybe because I know him and have watched him work and he has answered all my stupid questions. It has been said that if you order a gun from him, just put away $100 a month and by the time you get your gun you will have the money to pay him. Probably should make that $150 now. If you want a $6000 gun that is worth $6000 you will have to wait a long time.

 

[Pee Wee]

Wife was a CPA and knew how to invest. We have decided to spend some on what we want. I tell the kids I am not leaving them a dine, if something is there when I die they got lucky.

I have always like flints but work and life got in the way of me buying a custom built. I don't know much about smooth bores but think that is what I want as it will take anything I want to hunt. I have started buying books on then.

 

[TobJohn]

Wife was a CPA and knew how to invest. We have decided to spend some on what we want. I tell the kids I am not leaving them a dine, if something is there when I die they got lucky.

I have always like flints but work and life got in the way of me buying a custom built. I don't know much about smooth bores but think that is what I want as it will take anything I want to hunt. I have started buying books on then.

Nothing wrong with treating yourself.

I found this book helpful when I first came across non military smoothbores:
FLINTLOCK FOWLERS, the First Guns Made in America, photos of rare very early American guns, 1700 to 1820, soft bound, 248 pages, by Tom Grinslade - Track of the Wolf

 

[Rob M.]

I'm your huckleberry ! .

 

[Stumpkiller]

Another vote for Mike Brooks. Though I don't know what his current wait time is . . . I would say it is worth it.

https://mikebrooksflintlocks.com/
He made my 16 bore 42" swamped barrel fowler and came out right at 7 lbs. Just a joy to carry and use. Both for whitetail with ball and ruffed grouse with shot. I shot it 30 times in one session only loading and priming the pan to see if it could; not even wiping off the frizzen or pan. It did. No misfires. He also made it to the dimensions I supplied of my favorite Ithaca/SKB 280e .20 gauge and it comes up on point like it should.

The walnut has to be seen in daylight to be appreciated.

 

[Rob M.]

I would like some names of the top $6000 builders of 1760-1790 smooth bore, would prefer no more than a one year wait time to start build. I don't want to much drop, want .58-.62 cal barrel. I would have to talk to the builder as far as fittings, carving, wood and etc.

I want length of pull 12 1/2-13" which is short for a lot of people. I want something that fits me right that was why I had said $6000 builder. I'm wanting something a very rich New England or English Merchant would have to show off.

I'm no top echelon builder but I can make you an authentic hand made , no spindal shaper made stock , trade gun .... Give me a holler if your interested , we can hash out the details

 

[nhmoose]

Not wanting to wait take a trip to Dixons or Dixie gun works they have stuff in stock.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Another vote for Mike Brooks. Though I don't know what his current wait time is . . . I would say it is worth it.

https://mikebrooksflintlocks.com/
He made my 16 bore 42" swamped barrel fowler and came out right at 7 lbs. Just a joy to carry and use. Both for whitetail with ball and ruffed grouse with shot. I shot it 30 times in one session only loading and priming the pan to see if it could; not even wiping off the frizzen or pan. It did. No misfires. He also made it to the dimensions I supplied of my favorite Ithaca/SKB 280e .20 gauge and it comes up on point like it should.

The walnut has to be seen in daylight to be appreciated.

I'm pretty sure he's retired. Only selling brass now.

 

[Magungo1066]

I'm pretty sure he's retired. Only selling brass now.

Came here to say this. I asked if he was taking work about a year ago and he told me he was really backlogged/ not taking new orders. Mike is great and I wish he could make a million guns so we could all have 30! lol

 

[Hatchet-Jack]

If you want a $6K Smoothbore that a wealthy gentleman would have carried you might want to contact Mark Silver. No idea on his wait time or if he's even taking on more work.
https://marksilvergunmaker.com/london-fowler-c-1762

 

[Zutt-man]

Leland Davis out of Wells, KS builds great guns!