Tulle weight

[bud in pa]

Why are today's Tulles much heavier than the originals ? I have no experience with them, outside of drooling over them, except what I have read about them. Thanx Bud

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I think it' mainly the barrel. Modern mass-produced barrels are much thicker and heavier, particularly in the forward half, compared to old original fowlers. I once had a mid-nineteenth century percussion fowler in 14 gauge with 36" barrel which weighed just over five pounds total. Many newly made barrels will weigh near five pounds for the barrel alone. When a barrel is contoured on a lathe it cannot be turned so thin as were the old hand ground barrels.

 

[Stumpkiller]

That's evolution at work. It used to be if a gun blew your face off the wolves would eat your remains. Now they have evolved to walk upright and they help your surviving family eat the manufacturer for half the rewards.

 

[Stophel]

The breeches were a LOT heavier, though. I think 1 1/4" or so was the norm for the French trade guns. I remember handling a gun stocked in New England somewhere long about 1810 or so using old (like pre 1700) French barrel and lock and hardware. The breech was quite large. I don't recall how heavy the gun felt, though. Probably still fairly light, because, as was said, the front ends are fairly thin. Probably balanced much more nicely, since the weight was in the back, not way out in front. :wink:

 

[Mickc01]

That's evolution at work. It used to be if a gun blew your face off the wolves would eat your remains. Now they have evolved to walk upright and they help your surviving family eat the manufacturer for half the rewards.

You anit lyin!! :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Steve Tobler]

Good one Stump !
:haha:

 

[JohnN]

My Tulle has one of those thick barrels (1990's Pecatonica) and is a lot heavier than the thin barreled ones ( Centermark).

 

[tg]

You can get one in a .66 bore that comes in around 7 lb from the TOW 44" "Tulle" (Gawd I hate that term) parts set, mine is the same barrel in .58 and is just under 8 lb, as stated todays barrels plus extra wood on the stock add up pretty quick, Our own Alex Efremco makes some that are pretty good replicas and likley closer to the right weight.

 

[alex efremenko]

I have three original FDC barrels,The largest one maybe goes 1-1/8". The smallest being about .60" with the largest being about .65".The longest being about 42+" is missing bout 2 inches as judging from the original front sight.I think it weighes around 4 lb. or so. Oringinal specs say a 4 pound barrel was the rule.some other things to consider weightwise:
The flats only go out 11 inches or so.they taper,no flare[extra metal]
The iron buttplate/trigger guard are forged,much thinner& lighter than a wax steel casting,
on some the wood stock is thinner ,more slender than on guns we see today,A little here, alittle there adds up.
If i can find a Colerain 46' ,.66 cal barrel,take the flare off the muzzle shorten the flats to 11",file 16 flat transition. i can get a 7 to 7-1/4 lb. fusil.
I used the barrel TG stated ,did the above items to,and ended up with a seven pound gun.Whch is on par to originals
I have an R.E. Davis French fusil barrel,48"..62 cal. Which is profile close to originals.1-1/4" at the breech.The finished gun it is on weighes about 8.5 pounds.
Another thing to consider is caliber,a smaller bore will reduce weight.guns from Tulle were of a spcific bore size,+ or -tolerences.
One day i will get some new barrels made to the profile of the best of these barrels.
i hope this helps some.

Alex E.

 

[tg]

That is a good point about the bore size specs, in the first 1/4 of the 18th century the FDC's were probably from .577-.623 in bore size as one of the more common sizes, the .66 would probably be a bit large for the hunting guns, it is closer to the miltary bore I believe

 

[wayne1967]

My first fusil from sitting fox had a really thin barrel compared to the one from TOTW. Looked like a shotgun barrel from the muzzle. Don't know the maker of it though.

 

[Steve Tobler]

Hey, nice avatar Wayne !
:grin:

 

[cgg]

Alex, your thoughts on the 46" 16 bore Colerain barrel are right on the money. I just took delivery on an English-style "colonial" fowler with that barrel. I chose it because of the length and light weight--under four pounds. My gun is made with the barrel contour as it came from the factory, weighs 8 lbs., and is lighter and better handling than a heavier 38" TOW barreled 20 bore I have. I never considered reconfiguring the barrel to lighten it more :redface: :idunno: Maybe I can work that into my next project..... I wonder if Bob Hoyt would make the type of barrel profile you have in mind ? :hmm:

 

[Steve Tobler]

After reading this thread, I was curious what my Centermark 36" Tulle Fusil-de-Chasse 20 ga. (.615") came in at, so I weighed it.

A very nice handling 6-1/2 pounds.
:wink:

 

[CoyoteJoe]

That is a very nice weight for a fowler, light enough for easy carry and heavy enough to control recoil of reasonable loads. :thumbsup:

 

[Deadeye]

My Centermark 20 has a 42" barrel and weights
7 lbs 2 oz. That barrel is only .050 thick at the muzzle. Good balance and good swinger.
Deadeye

 

[TinStar]

Would like to know what his(Centermark's) prices/options are but unfortunately he doesn't answer his phone or even hand written letters requesting information about his guns. So I ask myself if this is the way he runs an advertised business; do I want to do business with him?

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[alex efremenko]

He has always been like that.they are harder to get a hold of than The Rifle Shoppe.I ptetty much gave up when I was trying to talk to him a few years back

 

[tg]

I heard somewhere that they might have folded up the shop, I have never seen anyone note that they offer any options that would give a proper barrel length or profile, maybe the right side plate and buttplates and a non-broened barrelbut that is likley it from the Historical part, most who use the Davis lock do not "clean it up", they may have used the L&R trade lock lately.

 

[Steve Tobler]

My Centermark 20 has a 42" barrel and weights 7 lbs 2 oz.

Mmmmm, an extra 6" barrel length, for 16 ounces additional carry weight.

What do you all think about it, is the extra barrel length worth the carry weight all the time ?