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English, Pennsylvania, or moravian fowler

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StarnesRowan

40 Cal
Joined
Sep 20, 2020
Messages
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I am a reenactor and and am looking to build a smooth bore that would have been prevalent in central North Carolina. I will also be hunting small game with the gun. I need some people who know more about the subject than I do.
 
Consider a Type G trade gun also called a Carolina trade gun if you are poor or Native. This was the cheapest gun available. If you’re a person of means then a slightly better quality gun. A basic English fowler would work. I recommend 2 inexpensive books. One is For Trade and Treaty. It’s about guns traded to Native Americans but many very similar guns were available to White folks, of course. Next is Of Sorts for Provincials. Various guns used in the French and Indian War by colonists. Between these 2 inexpensive books you can learn a lot.
 
As Mr. Pierce said, Type-G trade gun, also known as a Carolina gun. This would be my 1st choice.
Second choice would be an English Fowler.

Please tell us more about your persona and his backstory. This may influence what you were likely or unlikely to carry.
 
As Mr. Pierce said, Type-G trade gun, also known as a Carolina gun. This would be my 1st choice.
Second choice would be an English Fowler.

Please tell us more about your persona and his backstory. This may influence what you were likely or unlikely to carry.

My persona is of a farily prosperous farmer who owns 300 acers outside of Salisbury Nc he has a collegeeducation and Who is a sargent in the militia

For the full persona go to my tread on the share your persona page on this forum
 
Hi,
English fowler and here is an original example of the kind of export quality gun from exactly your time period. In fact, this gun probably spent most of its working life in America.
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uoEiNpK.jpg

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gHaEtRa.jpg

5kik9Zl.jpg

KeynERF.jpg

FCgf0U6.jpg

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Prosperous farmers were by definition, not poor, and could afford a nice gun imported from England. They in fact, imported many of them including some rifles. Richard Wilson and the Turvey family of gun makers were especially popular with prosperous colonists. Trade guns were for trade with the Indians or less prosperous settlers on the frontiers.

dave
 
Hi,
English fowler and here is an original example of the kind of export quality gun from exactly your time period. In fact, this gun probably spent most of its working life in America.
IIGB5kR.jpg

4QD3px5.jpg

DqYSIcE.jpg

uoEiNpK.jpg

yBvC044.jpg

ivt4ytY.jpg

gHaEtRa.jpg

5kik9Zl.jpg

KeynERF.jpg

FCgf0U6.jpg

mwx6SEI.jpg


Prosperous farmers were by definition, not poor, and could afford a nice gun imported from England. They in fact, imported many of them including some rifles. Richard Wilson and the Turvey family of gun makers were especially popular with prosperous colonists. Trade guns were for trade with the Indians or less prosperous settlers on the frontiers.

dave
Thanks for the infoe dave. I have a few more questions about that type of fowler.

Do the import guns have a hooked breech? Are the barrels always round or are there octogon to round barrels as well? Where can I get a good kit or a blueprint for an import fowler
 
Dave will answer your questions well. I’ll share a few thoughts. Good blueprints can help give you a good idea of architecture but every build depends on the parts. Change the lock, barrel, or buttplate and the blueprint must be modified. Get a book or two and study Dave’s tutorials on building an English fowler.

The lowest grade English fowlers just above trade guns had fixed breeches. Get “For Trade and Treaty” by Jim Mullins.

Try to find a nicely designed octagon to round barrel that is not thick at the muzzle. Build around that.
 
Dave will answer your questions well. I’ll share a few thoughts. Good blueprints can help give you a good idea of architecture but every build depends on the parts. Change the lock, barrel, or buttplate and the blueprint must be modified. Get a book or two and study Dave’s tutorials on building an English fowler.

The lowest grade English fowlers just above trade guns had fixed breeches. Get “For Trade and Treaty” by Jim Mullins.

Try to find a nicely designed octagon to round barrel that is not thick at the muzzle. Build around that.
Would a chambers english fowler or a chabers PA fowler in walnut do the trick? I only ask about a kit because they sound like somewhat mass produced weapons
 
As said, a step up from a Carolina type trading gun could also have a non-hooked breech but into the second half of the 18th century, the hooked breech is going to be a standard feature on better quality English made exports. The stores in America were importing various grades to have available off the peg and the wealthier class were ordering per their specification and sometimes by maker
by that time. The earlier you go with your gun, the more a non-hooked breech would be common on finer pieces.
 
Hi,
Chambers English fowler kit would be a good choice. I do not believe it comes with a hook tang and breech but that certainly can be added. With a hooked breech, the barrel is held in place with flat keys rather than pins. It was designed to remove the barrel easily for cleaning. The nice thing about Chambers kit is they combine the correct lock and hardware for the time period the gun is supposed to represent (1760s). Some fowlers would have octagon to round barrels, others fully round. However, they all would taper at the breech and flare a little at the muzzle.

dave
 
I would agree with Dave that as far as present kits go, the English officer's fuzee would be a good candidate to add a hooked breech and keys for a nice birding piece.

Also, just for information, the aforementioned "Flintlock Fowlers" book (which I have and like a lot) may only have 4 small photos at best of English guns.
 
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Hi,
Chambers English fowler kit would be a good choice. I do not believe it comes with a hook tang and breech but that certainly can be added. With a hooked breech, the barrel is held in place with flat keys rather than pins. It was designed to remove the barrel easily for cleaning. The nice thing about Chambers kit is they combine the correct lock and hardware for the time period the gun is supposed to represent (1760s). Some fowlers would have octagon to round barrels, others fully round. However, they all would taper at the breech and flare a little at the muzzle.

dave
Hi Dave,
I have my English fowler on order from Chambers and was wondering if you have any suggestions on installing barrel keys. Installing keys looks like a good way to mess up a nice stock if not done properly.
Thanks Rich
 
Hi,
Chambers English fowler kit would be a good choice. I do not believe it comes with a hook tang and breech but that certainly can be added. With a hooked breech, the barrel is held in place with flat keys rather than pins. It was designed to remove the barrel easily for cleaning. The nice thing about Chambers kit is they combine the correct lock and hardware for the time period the gun is supposed to represent (1760s). Some fowlers would have octagon to round barrels, others fully round. However, they all would taper at the breech and flare a little at the muzzle.

dave
On the subject of keys are they prevent on the export quality guns I am sure abou the better ones but have no clue about the export ones
 
Hi,
During the period you are interested in, standing breeches and barrel keys were standard on any non military gun above the quality of cheap trade guns or livery guns. SR, I get the impression that you are intimidated by what James and I are indicating. We are giving you the historical context. I could do what we describe for a Chambers English fowler kit in one day of work, no problem. Piece of cake. But I realize others don't have the skills or knowledge. So a good choice for you is Chambers English fowler as it comes without the changes we suggest. It will be a fine gun for your impression.


dave
 
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