"Short" barrel on English Fowler

[Erzulis boat]

Contemplating making an English style fowler with a "short" barrel, possibly 30 inches or so.

Fools errand, or somewhat passable as historically accurate. I plan on using TOTW 20 gauge (oct/round)

Ballistically speaking, what will suffer?

Only experience is with "long" barreled Fowlers, so if anyone can chime in with some experience in the "short" realm, that would be great.

 

[dave_person]

Hi,
So what period? 1700-1750? 1750-1770? 1770-1790? 1790-1820? They are all different and a short barrel is likely only during the later periods.

dave

 

[Erzulis boat]

It's not for a persona or anything, so the date could be whenever. I just don't like a pure "fantasy" piece for lack of a better term. I would say that I am searching for a plausible configuration.

It will be for quail hunting, so only the stray coyote will question it's authenticity anyway.

 

[BrownBear]

...quail hunting....

I doubt you'll notice enough velocity difference to affect your shooting. But you will notice much quicker handling. A bud here has one with a 28" barrel, and it's greased lightning for ptarmigan in close cover. He has longer barreled versions too, so he has grounds for comparison.

Historically accurate? Have to ask the coyotes.

 

[Erzulis boat]

...quail hunting....

I doubt you'll notice enough velocity difference to affect your shooting. But you will notice much quicker handling. A bud here has one with a 28" barrel, and it's greased lightning for ptarmigan in close cover. He has longer barreled versions too, so he has grounds for comparison.

Historically accurate? Have to ask the coyotes.

Thanks! Something short like that would be a joy to shoot and reload.

 

[Feltwad]

Contemplating making an English style fowler with a "short" barrel, possibly 30 inches or so.

Fools errand, or somewhat passable as historically accurate. I plan on using TOTW 20 gauge (oct/round)

Ballistically speaking, what will suffer?

Only experience is with "long" barreled Fowlers, so if anyone can chime in with some experience in the "short" realm, that would be great.

Most long barrels on original English fowler were prior to 1780 the reason been that black powder at that period was a lot slower .By 1780 with a improvement in the powder and lock and a improved interest in shooting flying saw gun makers like John Manton make the sxs and short barrel s/b which 30 to 32 inch barrels .The early ones were known has covert guns they were very fast and easy to handle in wooded areas . Most of these guns after a short period of use were later converted to percussion
Feltwad
An English late fowler with 30 inch barrel

 

[Captjoel]

Here is an English trade gun made for the Hudson Bay Company. It is dated 1870 (late) and made in 24 gauge with a 30 inch barrel.

Still offered in flintlock at that time.

 

[Captjoel]

 

[Erzulis boat]

Thanks all!