Musket or Fowler?

[WonkoTheSane]

After watching the video that was recently posted to the TMA Facebook page about the Muskets & Fowlers of Colonial Williamsburg I got to thinking which smoothbore would I want, if I was out on the frontier and could only take one, fowler or musket.  

I was thinking that a musket may be a better choice.  Although the musket is a military weapon, it is more robust and was built to “take a beating and still keep sparking”.  The fowler, built along the lines of the American Longrifle, may be a more fragile piece and require a bit more care from the owner/user.  Yes, the lock time on a musket, either a Brown Bess or Charleville, is longer than that of a fowler, however, after a few shots, it would not hard to allow for that time when shooting.   Furthermore, since both are smoothbores, any round balls loaded would need to be “snug fit”, that is wrapped in patching to keep them from bouncing down the barrel.

Of course, I may be a bit biased, since I do have a Brown Bess.

[Bigsmoke]

Even with its two foot hammer throw, my old Bess had pretty fast ignition.  It would even shoot upside down.  I am sure we have all been in situations where there was a need for that characteristic. :hey-hey

I think you are right, the Bess or the Charleyville would be a more rugged piece than a fowler.

The only downside I can see is if choosing a Bess, you already have one and you are shorting yourself out of a new gun.

John

[Rocklock]

NW Trade Gun.

[amm1851]

NW Trade Gun.

Ditto

[Riley/MN]

NW Trade Gun.

Ditto

 

[WonkoTheSane]

To those that have suggested the NorthWest Trade Gun, what advantages would it have over a fowler or a musket?

Bigsmoke, What I meant was that since I already own a Brown Bess and have never fired a fowler, I may be bit biased toward the Bess for that reason.  I was hoping to start a discussion about the merits of both the fowler and musket as the smoothbore of choice.

[Riley/MN]

Maybe not as robust as a Bess, but pretty durn robust. Very authentic to many parts of the country (as is the Bess). If'n I had a Bess, I might notta bought the trade gun....

[larryp]

The main advantage a trade gun or fowler has over a military musket is lighter weight and often better handling for aiming at moving game. Especially birds. The musket on the other hand as noted is very rugged, but a lot heavier. The musket does have the advantage of having a sling which comes in handy when dragging back big game or climbing in steep terrain where both hands are needed. ( Which is why my Chief's Grade trade gun has a sling).

[amm1851]

Light, versatile,  sturdy and in continuous use from around 1670 to about 1920.

[rollingb]

I used to have a Brown Bess and when compared to my NWTG the Bess just felt "sort'a clunky" so I sold it and replaced it with a fowler.  

YMMV

[RobD]

i like smoothbores, but don't get caught up in the "musket/fowler" terminology.  i like 20 gauge guns with 42" OTR barrels with only a front sight (local shoots ban rear sights) and as superb a lock as possible.  the full stock can be of most any hardwood and with reasonable proportions, drop and LOP.  sparse furniture of brass or steel, don't much matter, they's all good.  typical weight of perhaps 8lbs.

[Eric Krewson]

I have a trade gun, light and handy but plain. This is an old Gustomsky kit gun.



When I decided to build a 12ga turkey gun I chose an English fowler because of the extra bling.











I like bling apposed to plain.

[sse]

i like smoothbores, but don't get caught up in the "musket/fowler" terminology.  i like 20 gauge guns with 42" OTR barrels with only a front sight (local shoots ban rear sights) and as superb a lock as possible.  the full stock can be of most any hardwood and with reasonable proportions, drop and LOP.  sparse furniture of brass or steel, don't much matter, they's all good.  typical weight of perhaps 8lbs.

Rob, your taste in shooting implements is impeccable...

[sse]

I have a trade gun, light and handy but plain. This is an old Gustomsky kit gun.



When I decided to build a 12ga turkey gun I chose an English fowler because of the extra bling.











I like bling apposed to plain.

Dang...!!!  What a beauty...!!!

[Hanshi]

Those are really great looking guns.