Original Fowlers

[Feltwad]

Enclosed are a couple of images one of original Flintlock Fowling guns and one of flintlocks converted to percussion using the drum and nipple principle.All of these fowlers are from 1740 to 1820.

Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[greyhunter]

If those are in your collection, you are a lucky man!

[Feltwad]

If those are in your collection, you are a lucky man!

Yes they are part of a life time collecting ,I have been shooting muzzle loading arms for 62 years.
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[greyhunter]

I take that back, you're not a lucky man, you are a serious collector that has obviously followed your plan.  Those are a fine collection of firearms.

[Roaddog]

Yep What Greyhunter said. What a treet to see. You started with black powder the year I was born. That is a loooong time ago.

[Riley/MN]

Quite the collection there Mr. Feltwad! How far does that bottom barrel extend beyond the frame?

[Feltwad]

Quite the collection there Mr. Feltwad! How far does that bottom barrel extend beyond the frame?

Riley
The following image will give you the idea of its length it is what we term has a bank gun

Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[Kermit]

Let's see... Brick wall behind you, common brick at 2 2/3" height each, about 20 courses behind you, so--you'd be about 4'6"? Seems that's not such a long barrel after all!  

[Feltwad]

Let's see... Brick wall behind you, common brick at 2 2/3" height each, about 20 courses behind you, so--you'd be about 4'6"? Seems that's not such a long barrel after all!  

The gentleman in the image is 6ft  in heigth and the barrel is at good 2ft higher .
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[Riley/MN]

Quite the collection there Mr. Feltwad! How far does that bottom barrel extend beyond the frame?

Riley
The following image will give you the idea of its length it is what we term has a bank gun

Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

WOW

[huntinguy]

Let's see... Brick wall behind you, common brick at 2 2/3" height each, about 20 courses behind you, so--you'd be about 4'6"? Seems that's not such a long barrel after all!  

I have read about barrels that long, but, wow, the picture really drives it home. Thanks for posting.

What was the reason for such a long barrel? Powder efficiency or just trying to get a better shot pattern?

Can you actually swing a barrel that long or were they similar to a punt gun, just fired at sitting birds from a rest?

The second one down in the second picture. That looks like a nice light little gun. Could you mention a few details about that one. Thanks.

[Feltwad]

Huntinguy
The gun in question is a 2 bore bank gun and was used by the Georgian and Victorian fowlers on the foreshore.The gun was rested on a sand dune or the sea wall and when the incoming tide brought with it the small waders feeding along the water edge and when within range the gun was discharged into a flock .It was also used has a small punt gun {Market Gun}The punt gun was a lot larger and used both on the sea and also inland waters see image of punt guns
The second gun down is a French 20 bore sxs flintlock sporting gun by Laborda of Paris and dates from the early 1800s
Feltwad
A Flint Lock will not secure a chicken house door

[huntinguy]

Thank you for the reply.

The triggers on the SxS are interesting. It is such a beautiful gun....

All I can say is... amazing....

You are one very blessed man.

Thank you so much for posting the pictures...... Wow.