Smoothbore capper??

[Nor Cal Mikie]

What about a "smoothbore"(Fowler) percussion? Not PC??

 

[Oldnamvet]

Are you looking for something in the fowler style or just a single barrel percussion smoothbore? Something like the T/C New Englander in 12 gauge?

 

[CoyoteJoe]

There are tons of old original percussion shotguns, both single and double barrel, to be found today, so certainly there is nothing wrong with shooting a percussion fowler. If originally built as percussion it would likely be a half-stock, just because that style was taking over, but a full stock converted from flint to percussion would also have been common. For that matter, many civil war rifle-muskets were bored smooth and sold as low cost shotguns. I think most people will break more clays with percussion but some folks also do very well with flint. :grin:

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

My thoughts were about a "fowler" in percussion because of the light weight out in front. Smooth bore might be heavier out front?
And being I havn't gotten into a flinter, why not a fowler in percussion. Been checking out the kits and most are flint. Might not be "period accurate" but could be a fine shooter?? Maybe even a full stock? :hmm:

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

There is no reason why you couldn't build or buy a full stock fowler from even a very early period and convert it to percussion. I read not long ago about a fowler that was in use for nearly 150 years and it had been converted to percussion. I have a 20 gauge fullstock fowler with a 42" barrel and it weighs about 7 pounds. That's because the barrel is a little too thick.
Track's English fowler parts set would be a good place to start. Done right, you could have a gun that could be switched back and forth from flint to percussion.

 

[mazo kid]

I have an original full stock percussion fowler in approx. 12 gauge. The barrel is 41-1/2" long, it weighs about 6 pounds and has a back action lock.
Would that put it as late percussion? The stock has an earlier look tho. The only marking I can find on the gun is the lockmaker Golcher.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

That would be a late percussion fowler and it sounds interesting. Got any photos?

 

[paulvallandigham]

Golcher made thousands of locks used by other gun makers. He was to locks in the 19th century what Remington was to Barrels. They made and marketed parts to other gunmakers, because they could mass produce the parts cheaper than the gunmaker could afford to make these parts up one at a time. Remington began business in 1807, I believe. Golcher locks even are found on Hawken rifles. The Back action locks show up in the 1840s, and remained popular locks sold in hardware stores right to the end of the 19th century.

 

[dukewellington]

Ardesa fowler :thumbsup:

 

[mazo kid]

That would be a late percussion fowler and it sounds interesting. Got any photos?

I'll try to take some photos a little later, have out of town guests coming soon. The lock may or may not be original; it DID have a back action lock tho. The lock is missing the internals and hammer. I bought a back action lock from Dixie maybe 15 years ago to use in restoring it but as so often happens....other things get in the way.

 

[mazo kid]

That would be a late percussion fowler and it sounds interesting. Got any photos?

I got a little more time so took some photos, for what they are worth. The fowler needs some TLC but could be made respectable again with a little work.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e245/coyotejoe/scott.jpg

This is my W&C Scott cap gun. It's a 14 gauge with 36" barrel and weighs 4 3/4 pounds, that's not a typo, it really is that light. The stock dimensions are pretty much like a modern shotgun, 1 1/2" drop at the comb, 2 1/4" drop at the heel, 14 1/2" pull. It is obviously sweet to carry and with 2 3/4 drams of 2f and one ounce of #6 shot the recoil is not too bad, but I wouldn't care to shoot any "magnums" out of it. :haha: it is in really nice shape and deserves better photos but this is what I happened to have. http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e245/coyotejoe/scott2.jpg

 

[ol vern]

What about a "smoothbore"(Fowler) percussion? Not PC??

Lots of flint Fowlers were converted to percussion. Get a kit fron TOW or Chambers and
have at it.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I think that probably is the original lock. And that is a late fowler too.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Its not uncommon for single barrel guns to weigh in the 5 lb range.

That 14 gauge is not a " Magnum " shotgun, nor is intended to be used for long range shots. Its an upland game gun, and for its purpose, its will designed, and well loaded. Stick with loads that are 2 1/2 to 2 3/4 dram loads using 1 oz. of shot. This keeps the velocity under the Speed of Sound so you maintain good patterns. These are also the recommended loads in the Hodgdon Data manual.

 

[Nor Cal Mikie]

I picked up a copy of "Flintlock Fowlers", The First Guns Made in America. Lots to look at but you talk about confusing? I like the idea of a "full stock" gun. Long and lean. Been checking out TOTW as well as Chambers and a few others.
Might even go as far as doing some carving and engraving with lots of brass to make it shine.
Still in the planing mode.
The one I shouldered was a 62 caliber. What "gauge" would that be?
Still trying to sort out what size barrel to put on it.

 

[Oldnamvet]

62 caliber is 20 gauge. I have one (flintlock) and it is great fun with shot or roundball.

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have a 20 gauge fowler that was made for me. Actually, it turns out to be overbored, and is a 19 gauge fowler! But its a nice gun. Mine was made with " ONLY " a 30 inch barrel, but it balances very nicely, and it shoots well. I have more opportunities to hunt rabbits and pheasants with the gun than deer, and the deer hunting is under 50 yards, so I do not feel handicapped.

If you get a longer barreled fowler, they do balance well, and you should like them. I think 20 gauge is a terrific choice for a gun as light as mine is, but there are fans of the 16(.662) and 12(.729) gauge Guns. If you look through Grinslade's book, at least among those original period guns that have survived to make it into collections, and his book, 20 gauge seems to be the more common gauge/caliber for these guns.

I also think that if you are going to find a percussion ignition gun in the shape of a fowler, you are more likely to find it in 20 gauge than in the others.{ But, because so many flintlocks were converted to percussion, you are likely to find an original gun in just about any caliber or gauge!}

You can get these guns made with 60 inch barrels, if you want.( Our Mike Brooks makes them.) Finding a gun case to fit it, and ramrods, and other parts involves custom ordering, but it can be done.

 

[ord sgt]

I have a Pedersoli Charleyville .69 calibre flintlock that I converted to musket cap percussion lock. Remove the flintlock, unscrew the flashole liner, screw in a drum and nipple and add the Harpers Ferry lock. Have the best of both.

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

Do you have a particular time period in mind? What uses do you plan to put the gun to? These are the primary criteria that will help you get started. Will you use the gun for hunting only or do you plan to re-enact with it? Deciding exactly what you want is a big part of the fun of muzzleloading. :thumbsup: