Post by: hankaye on September 13, 2009, 03:45:42 PM
If I felt comfortable enough to do it myself, Who's KIT would you'ens suggest. If I.m not feelin comfortable Who's finished (in the white), would you suggest.
PLEASE, when ya suggest state your why's and if ya got a Nay ta say state yer whynots.
ALL opinions are the responsibility of the opinionated.
I will ponder all considerably,
hankaye [/quote]
Post by: Capt. Jas. on September 13, 2009, 05:13:22 PM
For in the white, I would have a quality builder put a Chambers together for you. Mike Brooks is a full time builder. I have 2 guns by him. He also has a fowling gun kit. I think he can usually get an in the white kit out to you in about 3-4 mo. after ordering and supplying the kit.
There are other quality builders who advertise that they put together Chambers kits in the white but they do not put together other maker's kits.
Post by: BEAVERMAN on September 13, 2009, 06:05:07 PM
Post by: pathfinder on September 13, 2009, 07:20:08 PM
Post by: Capt. Jas. on September 13, 2009, 08:37:43 PM
I have seen Mr. Zihn's work and it is super!
I would suggest getting someone who has schooled themselves in the study of the particular fowling piece you desire.
Post by: pathfinder on September 14, 2009, 12:50:14 PM
Post by: Capt. Jas. on September 14, 2009, 01:15:54 PM
Quote from: "pathfinder"
Just made the leap he was lookin for a smoothie,ie: trade gun/fowler/fowling piece, Fowler seems to be a generic term used unless a specific school or area is mentioned. :lol:
I was just not sure if they might have added a fowling piece to their line-up. Some trade guns like the Carolina/Type G (NOT the Jackie Brown) really are in many ways dirt cheap fowling type guns.
Post by: mark davidson on September 14, 2009, 01:54:19 PM
Post by: hankaye on September 17, 2009, 02:48:01 AM
I do know what a fowler is. I do know what it is I'm lookin fer. Any other Gunsmiths you'ns care ta mention will be appericated.
Thanks,
hankaye
Post by: pathfinder on September 17, 2009, 08:48:11 AM
Post by: PJC on September 17, 2009, 11:50:29 AM
For the rifle that he built me, he made a great working mans rifle, with good fit to all parts and overall I am 100% happy and would recommend him.
After saying that I will send you a PM later today. I have a smoothbore kit from TVM. It is also a great kit that I have done some of the work but have decided to go in a different direction.
I'll give you a deal on it. Basically I also picked up a colerain turkey barrel this summer and am going to have a gun built on that barrel, so this kit will not fit my new plans.
I might even give Brian Turner a call to see if he will do my new turkey gun.
Quote from: "mark davidson"
Brian Turner, the builder who did my fowler, also offers kits. I do not know how much they cost but he will sell, do, or build to any degree of completion that you want and is a super guy to work with. Let me know if you want his number; I already put it on another thread on here.
Post by: Sir Michael on September 17, 2009, 11:54:56 AM
Quote
Aug. 24, 1740: Joseph Isbister, Fort Albany: The guns are good but have too much wood in their stocks, the Indians liking them more slender and to free from knots and also to have the guard larger, it being usual to draw the trigger with two fingers which our guns will not admit of.
Dec. 24, 1740: Directions were given to Mr. Jones the companys gun viewer to acquaint all the gunmaker that guards be made larger than usual.
Post by: hankaye on September 22, 2009, 02:09:30 AM
Mark davidson; please PM or just post the number for Brian Turner if he's got any type of website sure would like to look at it.
PJC; BLAP ya hit the nail on the head, workin man's gun, no frills, just aim an shoot eat well.
Sir Michael; Trade guns were fer the fur trade, nuttin wrong with that. My family is from Maine an some are from away (any where's else other than Maine). So, what I'm lookin for is sumtin a tightwad Mainer (or would that be Mainiac), would get for himself, No offence ment.
hankaye
PS tried spellcheck got this instead;
phpBB : Critical Error
Could not connect to the database
Post by: Sir Michael on September 22, 2009, 02:31:56 AM
Don't forget to post some pics after you get it. We all like good gun pics.
Post by: mark davidson on September 22, 2009, 01:52:41 PM
Post by: Sir Michael on September 22, 2009, 02:45:22 PM
A Trade Gun was an inexpensive Gun (typically smooth bore but rifles were also made) made specifically for trading to indians for hides, meet, or what ever. I'll go out on a limb and say that there were initially two 'schools' if you will of trade guns, English and French (although the guns themselves may have come from any number of countries) The French trade guns most likely appeared first with the English after that. The English through the NorthWest Company and the Hundson's Bay Company pretty much created a lock on trade gun sales through what is commonly known as the 'NorthWest Gun'
A simple description of a trade gun would be a simple round barrel on a full stock, with a a flat sheet brass butt plate held on with nails not screws (or no but plate at all), a large 'tower' type flint lock, typically a serpent side plate (although other designs were used), a simple pinned trigger, an oversized brass trigger guard (depending on time frame), it may or may not have a front sight of some sort, and it may or may not have a rear sight (that one is subject to hot debate by those that have not done their research).
Again, the nose cap, cheek rest, and nice side plate pretty much take it out of the trade gun category in my mind but like I said I'd have to see it to really tell.
Post by: mark davidson on September 22, 2009, 02:58:24 PM
As always, thank you for the very informative answer. If the word, "plain," is involved in a trade gun then mine is anything but plain. It does not have any engraving or inlay in metal or wood but it has a really nice piece of wood with lots of extras and no plain nail-on anything. I did put front and rear sights both on in case I wanted to shoot a big ole .72 round ball. It has a beaver front sight and a standard notched rear sight placed right at the front edge of where the octogan ends. Anyway, thanks for the info. :-)
Post by: Capt. Jas. on September 22, 2009, 05:53:16 PM
regards
English fowling pieces
(http://www.christies.com/lotfinderimages/d19011/d1901182x.jpg)
English trade gun
http://www.flintriflesmith.com/Antiques ... adegun.htm (http://www.flintriflesmith.com/Antiques/bumford_tradegun.htm)
Post by: Sir Michael on September 22, 2009, 09:56:40 PM
Post by: Capt. Jas. on September 23, 2009, 11:18:39 AM
The use of the word "fowler" in a google search will probably yield more repros that may or may not be correct as it's a modern term.
Actually I just tried to google the other terms and came up with mostly modern repros shown also. Most of the first hits are of cheapo indian cartoon guns and modern kit guns that are of questionable authenticity.
I always suggest looking at originals for study and comparison as even the best repro is only a copy of the real thing.
Post by: mark davidson on September 23, 2009, 12:19:10 PM
Post by: Sir Michael on September 23, 2009, 01:05:02 PM
These guys carry a range of original fowlers from time to time usually with good detail photos.
http://www.drake.net/products/1/Vintage-and-Modern-Sportings-Arms/Antique-Rifles-and-Fowlers?filter_custom_field_1=sporting%20arms&filter_custom_field_2=antique&title=Vintage%20and%20Modern%20Sportings%20Arms/Antique%20Rifles%20and%20Fowlers
Post by: Capt. Jas. on September 23, 2009, 02:01:09 PM
Post by: Quartermaster James on October 02, 2009, 11:30:38 AM
As in "flintlock fowler -reproduction -replica" (yes, it can be used multiple times.
It's not perfect, of course. It only excludes those pages that actually use the selected terms, so a page describing a reproduction that does not mention it is a reproduction will still come through. But it helps.
Play around with it and see the difference.
Post by: Capt. Jas. on October 02, 2009, 01:35:27 PM
Post by: hankaye on October 13, 2009, 12:59:44 AM
Quote from: "hankaye"
...one that would be appropriate (if I decide to), go reenacting in the time period of Late 1780's to early 1800's. Prior to 1810.[/quote]
If I felt comfortable enough to do it myself, Who's KIT would you'ens suggest. If I.m not feelin comfortable Who's finished (in the white), would you suggest.
PLEASE, when ya suggest state your why's and if ya got a Nay ta say state yer whynots.
ALL opinions are the responsibility of the opinionated.
I will ponder all considerably,
hankaye
Gettin back to my original question...
Have been in touch with BOTH Steve Zhin and Mike Brooks.
I am aware that 'Fowler' is a term that is ...well... in use, and describes the 'type' of firearm that I am looking to aquire.
I feel like C. Eastwood in the movie 'The Chosen' in the scean where he get's his pistol and a cup to shoot at, misses gets his rifle, misses again then gets his shotgun and hits the cup. With Macular degeneration in my strong eye looking thru 2 sights is akin to stickin the square peg in the round hole. The blurry spot is right where the front sight should be. Ergo, smoothbore, shotgun or fowler whatever ya chose ta call it. I prefer the New England style, it is more pleasing to MY eye. I could have chosen a Fusil de Chase, not what on of my tightwad MAINER (Maniac?), ansestors would have had made for him.I could look for an English fowler, again, NOT what they would have made for them.
Sorry. Ya'll have gone far off the path that I was lookin to wander down. Was lookin for some information about kits or builders. Looking for information about what I asked about NOT what ya'll may have, perchance, to assume what I ment. I ment what I asked. That's all.
Someone was going to get me a number or website for someone else and... still waiting.
I feel I must appoligize here as well. I know that each and every one of you that has responded has done so in an attempt to help. For that I am greatfull, truley, I am. If I have bruised an ego, it was not my intention.
hankaye
Please forgive any mispellings. Spellcheck has left the website again...