Hi everyone this is my first post here, so I am sure this is a common new-be question. I have been muzzleloading for the past 20 years and decided to step up and finally get that smoothbore kit I have been dying to get. I don't have a lot of gun building experience and I want to make sure I don't get over my head with one. I have been eyeing the Jim Chambers English Fowler and the Track of the Wolf French Fusil and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the these kits for a beginner/medium level builder? Thanks for the help.
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Smoothbore Kit
- Thread starter KW
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Of the two you've mentioned, I'd go with a TOW French Fusil. Much easier first time build than an English Fowler. The Fowlers usually have more detailed inlay work. Tracks North West Trade Gun would be another good first build. My opinion only !
If you had a chance to shoulder each gun it might help your dilema, I think the Cows Foot French Fusil fits me better than any other gun I have had, mine is made from the 44" "Tulle" kit, the TOW kits have some authenticity issues some kits can be fixed others not so redily if that is an issue.
plus the 44" TOW fusil comes in different calibers if you want to step up or down a size. With the 42" you just have the one option, and its probably a little short to be HC on top of the other issues.
I'm thinking long and hard on the same issue too
I'm thinking long and hard on the same issue too
DrTimboone
40 Cal.
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Chambers has a smooth rifle that I think is so cool!! 46" 20, 24 or 28 ga or rifled .54 Historically accurate and all first class parts!! And they fit. He also has a coouple of different fowlers and Militia musket kits of equal quality.
Colonial fowlers typically had very little decoration. See Grinslade's book on American fowlers. Some relief carving around the tang and perhaps some inscribed carving on the forestock..up to you, but usually pretty plain..with beautiful lines! I have both a Chambers lock and aq Caywood Wilson Trade lock and they both are great!!
If you buy a Chambers lock buy it from Chambers so that you know the assembly and tuning is the best.
Colonial fowlers typically had very little decoration. See Grinslade's book on American fowlers. Some relief carving around the tang and perhaps some inscribed carving on the forestock..up to you, but usually pretty plain..with beautiful lines! I have both a Chambers lock and aq Caywood Wilson Trade lock and they both are great!!
If you buy a Chambers lock buy it from Chambers so that you know the assembly and tuning is the best.
"plus the 44" TOW fusil comes in different calibers if you want to step up or down a size'
True ...downside is the .62 and .58 are bored from the same 1 1/16 barrel. I went with the .58 this makes a bit heavier barrel than I really wanted but it is not terribly bad, it just looks a little thick at the muzzle.The barrel should be over 1" at the breech for a French gun.
True ...downside is the .62 and .58 are bored from the same 1 1/16 barrel. I went with the .58 this makes a bit heavier barrel than I really wanted but it is not terribly bad, it just looks a little thick at the muzzle.The barrel should be over 1" at the breech for a French gun.
That's true about what would feel the best. Although I don't know anybody that has a Fusil or an English Fowler, was just sort of thinking of guns that I have handled before and doing a comparison on design, not the best I know. I am looking for a 20 gauge/.62 cal smoothbore so both are fine for that. As for HC (Historically Correct I am guessing) how far off is the Chambers English Fowler? I am not going for 100%, but I don't want to be totally off. Also does a 41/42" barrel really that different than the 44/46" barrels? Sorry for all the green horn quesions, but my experience has been with hawken style rifles and am not sure if the same rules goes for the smooth bores. Although I can honestly say I have the smooth bore bug and I don't even have mine yet
Capt. Jas.
58 Cal.
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The Chambers English Fowler is as close to 100% as you are going to get and has the best quality parts available. even the brass is better quality. You get what you pay for there.
Mike Brooks
Cannon
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I've built several of chambers english officers fusils. they are probably the best reproduction of an english fowler on the market....untill mine comes out of course. :haha:
Here are some of the chambers fowlers I've built.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0703/Gunmaker/Atrihan fowler/
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As you can see they lok great when they're finished. I saw one that a guy made with a brass barrel....now that was REALLY cool!
Here are some of the chambers fowlers I've built.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/0703/Gunmaker/Atrihan fowler/
>
As you can see they lok great when they're finished. I saw one that a guy made with a brass barrel....now that was REALLY cool!
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DrTimBoone said:
If I'm not mistaken, all Chambers locks are assembled by Chambers staff with the exception of the Silers. I'm reasonably certain that the silers are the only ones offered in a kit and therefore can be assembled and sold by anyone.
Cody
I believe the Chambers gun is very good historicaly speaking, as for the 41 1/2" barrels they are way off from anything found on any French guns, probably rather short for a fowler but others have more background in those type guns than I do.
Mike Brooks
Cannon
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On english you'll find them as short as 38" on pre rev war guns, and as long as you like, 50+ inches or better on wild fowling guns. Anywhere from 42 to 48" is common for an average export quality english fowling gun. The barrel on chambers english gun is copied directly from an original, which I've handled.
You have to keep in mind these were made for the civilian trade and not the indian trade. The indian trade guns were built to contact specifications where as the guns exported for the civilian trade weren't for the most part.
You have to keep in mind these were made for the civilian trade and not the indian trade. The indian trade guns were built to contact specifications where as the guns exported for the civilian trade weren't for the most part.
Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts on the smooth bore kit that would fit me (Mike, those are some pretty firearms). I have decided to go with the Jim Chambers English Fowler with the Round-Face English lock and the Cherry wood stock. My plan is to not stain the stock, but keep it natural/in the white I guess is the right terminology with just a clear finish to seal it and to brown the steel parts. Sort of a plain jane style, but it would reflect my utilitarian mind set and hopefully would still look good, maybe a little brass wire scroll work on the stock just for flare? Would this be a good way to go? Thanks again everyone.
Capt. Jas.
58 Cal.
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You have picked a great kit. Since you have chosen a period correct piece and I am assuming by that action a level of historical correctness is desiered, why not leave the metal in the white? You could let it "brown" on it's own thru time like the originals. Browning was more common after the time period of that gun.
I would most definately put some color on that beautiful cherry. Some of the guys on the builders board can give you an idea of what color to use. The Laural Mountain stains are good and they come in a wide variety of offerings.
Good luck with your new project. You have picked a winner.
I would most definately put some color on that beautiful cherry. Some of the guys on the builders board can give you an idea of what color to use. The Laural Mountain stains are good and they come in a wide variety of offerings.
Good luck with your new project. You have picked a winner.
