Northwest Trade Gun vs Fowler?

[himem777]

What is the difference between a North west trade Gun and a Fowler? I am having trouble seeing the dif. :idunno:

 

[lakota]

I have been looking at both but I am by no means an expert. The main thing I see is that the trade gun has a wider bow in the trigger gaurd and a longer trigger while the fowler has a more "rifle like" trigger.

 

[rabjr]

:hmm: About a pound I would say...

 

[Stumpkiller]

Fowler

NW Trade Gun

 

[himem777]

So the fowlers are a little more fancie pants. :grin:

 

[himem777]

So I do not offend any one I must tell you I want mine fancy pants. Sorry about my spelling.

 

[Celt5494]

Yes, often times a Fowler could be considered a Gentlemen's hunting firearm. The trade guns were exactly that, used for export in trade etc. I too prefer the slimmer or more graceful Fowler. The trade guns seem to follow along in Jaeger school of design a bit more in my opinion. Mt preference between the two is based purely on astetic design vs. function as both are equally effective. I've never cared for the exagerated trigger guard although very helpful for shooting with mittens on which is why I believe they were designed that way.

 

[smoothy]

Either can be fancy or plain. Examples of fowlers vs. trade guns that I have seen are prettier. A fowler has better flowing lines in my humble opinion.

 

[Stumpkiller]

There were presentation grade trade guns, embellished a bit more, so the differences cloud up a bit. As a rule or thumb the trade guns were knocked out with a little less spit and polish. Nailed furniture. Thin metal, leather or lacking butt-plates. Beefier forends.

Fowlers were slimmed down and more care was given in finish work.

 

[himem777]

Thanks that clears it up. Sorta.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Buy books, read and gain a basic knowledge of 18th century guns. Then we can disscus the differences. The subject is too broad and there is already too much incorrect information offered in this thread.

 

[rich pierce]

I would just add that folks should almost never use the information offered by makers of kits, models, etc as gospel. If you use catalogues as your primary source of information, online offerings, you'll soon be confused.

 

[Okwaho]

Mike and Rich are correct here especially as to the dissemination of incorrect opinions.For example there is the matter of the deep guards.The basis for these guards is the requests made by Natives to correspnd with the two finger bow pull utilized by them. A letter dated August 24,1740 noted that the Indians would like,

"to have the guard larger,it being usual to draw the trigger with two fingers which our guns will not admit of"

TRADE GUNS OF THE HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY 1670-1970,PP.73-74 by S.James Gooding {2003}

Old myths die slowly such as the one that a stack of beaver hides equal to the overall length of the gun constituted the price of the gun,Gooding PP.15-16

Another point is the stock design of Northwest guns which was straighter than the Carolina guns {Hanilton's Type G}. This too was the result of Native preference, Gooding PP.66-68

I submit that before one gets into a serious discussion on these guns {and many other types} that Mike's and Rich's suggestions be followed. Much of the material on 18th and 19th century guns is regrettably but inevitably dated.
Good luck :bow: :v
Tom Patton

 

[dhobbs]

Uncle,
I hope you are well!Will try to give you a call soon.

As to this topic: I will agree that the pictured North West gun is not as flowing in stock architecture compared to pictured "fowler" but....one should not automatically assume that all trade guns are "crude" affairs. Both the English and French goverments were producing "trade guns" in different grades.
Many of the original Carolina guns or French "fuzee" are slender, VERY light(like 6 pounds),some have stock carving and have graceful architecture. The high grade english trade guns would have attributes simuliar to the gun pictured in the thread.

David

 

[tg]

I would go with the advise to do some research and not from questioning builders or vendors about their offereings and consider it "research",try to get a basic understanding of the 18th and late 17th century guns of both types from several sources, always avoid reading one book and think you "have it" with a basic backgrouns one can ask ther right questions and find many answeres in the research as well, but if questions need be asked they will be informed ones, basicaly topping off the frosting on the cake and confirming current status of many theories/opinons from many years ago, there is no shortage of incorrect info in some old text and some is still being reprinted in new editions, it is not a tough task, just takes some time and the right books and often the research can become a very interesting part of the hobby and there are many well studied folks here willing to share with those who have a sincere desire to learn, have fun and enjoy the journey.