Tennessee valley manufacturing: poor boy Fowler.

[Sharpie44]

I was wondering if anyone on here has had experience with this company. I've wanted a flintlock fowler for a long time but they are all way outside my price range (at least $1000). I was going to settle for a used musket from track of the wolf but I stumbled on this company that has a poor boy fowler kit. I know i have the wood working skills to finish it and for about $500 I can't beat the price. It might not be as pretty as something from the log cabin or track of the wolf but at least i can hunt small game with it.

Poor boy fowler

 

[Sharpie44]

Note: The $1000 price I've been finding was for new guns. I did find a few used fowlers for $800.

 

[tg]

With any low priced new fowler or fowler parts set you need to check for barrels that are straight from the oct to the muzzle with no taper these are like a hunk of heavy pipe and should be avoided due to poor looks and handling, there should be a taper from the breech plug thru the muzzle end, and one can also look as to why they can make an assembled gun for a little more thna the parts sets from many other vendors, it is not likley due to superior quality?

 

[Sharpie44]

Ya that's why i was asking. I go by the rule. "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is" I guess I'll just have to keep saving up and keep looking for a better job to feed my hobby. lol

 

[BigDeutscher]

did you see the 20 ga for 475 on the classifieds?
Good quality and a good price

 

[Sharpie44]

I'll have to go take a look.

 

[hounddog]

Sharpie44, I am acquainted with TVM It is run by Jack Garner a longtime assistant at dixie gun works under Turner Kirkland. Jack know his business and you will get a quality kit from him. He is asociated with Matt avance of TVM (Muzzleloading) they share the same building down in cornith Miss. I have a Avance gun and have personall known Mr Garner close to 40 years. Give Jack a call , he will answer your question and get you going if you so decide. You can deal with utmost confidence with jack or matt. You may somebody just as good, but you wont find them any better. go for it yours hounddog

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Interesting,

Jack has sold this business to Randy Heil.

This is a rifle I built from a set of parts from Jack Garner

Here is another from Jacks place

 

[Sharpie44]

wow that is a pretty rifle. I'd trade my consider H&K G3 for one like that. Love the brass work on it.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Thanks,

I built the top rifle in '06, its their entry level rifle, basic wood, 42" straight GM barrel, case hardened Siler lock.

The bottom rifle was finished in '09, 38" swamped an tapered Colrain, Davis triggers, case hardened L&R Manton perc. lock

Thing is there are alot of outfits out there that are selling parts sets, very few of them do 99% of their stuff in-house.

Jack Garners shop is one of those shops that do a majority of it in-house, they supply alot of places with lumber, patchboxes, etc.

There are a few areas where they simplify some processes, it doesnt mean that they are putting out a cheap product, A phone call will confirm but I believe that they are using Colrain barrels for their fowlers.

They may not put out a product in the same catagory as Chambers, but they do ok.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

One other thing to consider, most of those other outfits are doing the majority of the inlets, Randy is not, barrel and ramrod is it.

 

[123.DieselBenz]

Just to clear up something . . . there are two TVM's selling muzzleloaders, one manufacturing, one muzzleloading . . . Matt is at http://www.avsia.com/tvm/

 

[Tony Logan]

Give them a call. I know Randy and he will help you out anyway he can. I have 2 guns (45 poorboy and a 66 fowler) from his shop, both were assembled by Brian Turner. I would not hesitate to get a third gun from them in a minute. they keep a ton of nice components there, good colerain fowler in stock and a heck of a nice woodpile.

Brian Turner Fowler TVM parts

 

[duca]

Interesting,

Jack has sold this business to Randy Heil.

This is a rifle I built from a set of parts from Jack Garner

Here is another from Jacks place

AWESOME! Beautiful...

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Thanks, not bad for cheap parts eh :wink:

 

[Mickc01]

You definitely need a new login name. You're way under selling yourself as "ApprenticeBuilder". Those are some mighty fine looking rifle-guns and my hat is off to you. :hatsoff:

 

[hanshi]

Take it from someone who has a TVM(uzzleloading) fowler; they are not only a good deal but are very fine guns in every respect whether finished, in-the-white or kit. Plus Matt is the best guy you'll ever talk guns with and he will guarantee your satisfaction.

 

[ApprenticeBuilder]

Thanks,

Until I finish one from the blank ( currently working on it ) the powers that be declare that I have yet to finish my Apprenticeship, alas the login name stays.

:wink:

Thanks for the comments

 

[duca]

LOL.. Great job. Keep it up.

 

[flattail]

Sharpie44, I ordered parts for a fowler from Randy Heil at TVManufacturing. I've yet to start the build, having been busy with a 40 cal squirrel gun, but.. the components are very high quality. The barrel is a Colerain and arrived with the breech plug installed and indexed. The barrel inletting in the stock is very sharp and clean. Randy will inlet the lock, trigger, butt plate, etc at your request...or leave it for you. I can recommend Randy as a very good person to deal with, as you can get him on the phone to discuss exactly what you want in your order. I think you would be well served ordering the fowler kit. As you indicated, a great deal for the price.
Good luck, Ed