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Post by paranger on May 19, 2022 16:11:09 GMT -7
 Y’a think I’d remember to mention that! 42” I really like 42" in a fusil / fowler for all around handling in the woods. I will say, though, that most of the English style fowlers in Grinslade's book have much longer barrels like 47-54". That said, there is that one Bumford fowler in "Of Sorts..." with a 41" barrel, and it does not appear to me to have been shortened, so there's at least 1 out there that short. If they are nice and thin-walled, as you say, that would be worth something, IMO. Nothing ruins the period feel, handling, and balance of a fowler like a modern over- built barrel. If you look at fine period fowlers, those barrel walls are thin - way too thin, I suspect, for today's corporate lawyers' comfort! 🙄 |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
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Post by RyanAK on May 19, 2022 16:23:24 GMT -7
 Y’a think I’d remember to mention that! 42” I really like 42" in a fusil / fowler for all around handling in the woods. If they are nice and thin-walled, as you say, that would be worth something, IMO. Nothing ruins the period feel, handling, and balance of a fowler like a modern over- built barrel. If you look at fine period fowlers, those barrel walls are thin - way too thin, I suspect, for today's corporate lawyers' comfort! 🙄 Yeah, 42” should make a nice Fowler/Fusee I would think. I gotta get a look at the bore. Of he can give me an OD measurement, I’d have a good idea. The barrels need finish work. I could always draw file everything down if the wall thickness is too much. 😜 Now to see what I can find with this barrel configuration. I don’t think I’m keen on a rough gun for this impression. But the fella made a good point that my skills might not be ready for a true English Fowler. |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on May 19, 2022 16:32:38 GMT -7
I will say, though, that most of the English style fowlers in Grinslade's book have much longer barrels like 47-54". That said, there is that one Bumford fowler in "Of Sorts..." with a 41" barrel, and it does not appear to me to have been shortened, so there's at least 1 out there that short. I think a lot of the fowlers in Grinsdale’s books are ‘true’ fowlers meant for waterfowling on a market-hunting scale, rather than ‘sporting’ guns. There are a few in the 42” range. The Bumford fowler in “Of Sorts…” is what I had settled on. That gun has a full-round barrel with a dramatic taper and flare at the muzzle. I’m not sure a lighter octagon-to-round barrel keeps the character of the gun. I’ll see what’s documented with this barrel. I think the Type-G is barreled like this… Appropriate for my persona? Maybe… |
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Post by paranger on May 19, 2022 16:34:18 GMT -7
I really like 42" in a fusil / fowler for all around handling in the woods. If they are nice and thin-walled, as you say, that would be worth something, IMO. Nothing ruins the period feel, handling, and balance of a fowler like a modern over- built barrel. If you look at fine period fowlers, those barrel walls are thin - way too thin, I suspect, for today's corporate lawyers' comfort! 🙄 Yeah, 42” should make a nice Fowler/Fusee I would think. I gotta get a look at the bore. Of he can give me an OD measurement, I’d have a good idea. The barrels need finish work. I could always draw file everything down if the wall thickness is too much. 😜 Now to see what I can find with this barrel configuration. I don’t think I’m keen on a rough gun for this impression. But the fella made a good point that my skills might not be ready for a true English Fowler. You have a point. I am no gun-builder, but it seems to me that a true English fowler implies a level of fit and finish that would not necessarily be expected in a colonial made "parts gun." Tough dilemma. |
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Post by paranger on May 19, 2022 17:09:14 GMT -7
I don't know if this will be helpful or not, but just in case here goes. This was my first non-military flintlock, and to date it has been my most versatile. It has taken deer and squirrels, and handles well enough to have made short work of clay birds consistently, though I haven't yet used it on live upland birds. It is a definite working gun. It is French type D trade gun hardware of typical St. Etienne pattern, but ("re-") stocked in N.American hard maple with a dark aqua fortis finish. Additionally, the 20 gauge octagon to round barrel is 42" - shorter than the 44" it would have been when it left France. Furthermore, it has been blued, also not typical for French production. The fit and finish is not exquisite, let's just say. So what is it? A "fusil Canadienne" produced from parts imported to Quebec (these are documented and at least one survives and is depicted in Kevin Gladysz's "The French Trade Gun in North America")? A captured French type D from Louisbourg 1745 that has been shortened, blued, and restocked for colonial use? I don't know. While just plausible (maybe) for some of my PA impressions, it isn't ideal for any. And yet, every time I get ready to sell it, I don't. Why? Because it does almost everything well: shoots tight patched balls out to 50 yd, patterns well with shot, is short and easy handling in the woods, and sturdier than a type G on a trek. You said earlier that this won't be your last flintlock. Your enthusiasm and my experience tells me you are right. If you want building experience, and a solid gun to hunt with this fall, maybe the fine English fowler can wait?     |
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Post by artificer on May 19, 2022 17:29:55 GMT -7
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on May 19, 2022 17:38:26 GMT -7
Oh… that Fusil is just lovely. If I wasne building a persona, I’d build or buy a French gun. The stock architecture speaks to me. It looks like a joy in the woods. You are, of course, correct. This won’t be my last flintlock. I tend to get caught in analysis paralysis. Time to keep moving this forward.
Gus… thanks! I’m planning on either a Chambers or Kibler lock. Kibler only if I end up with a non-inlet stock.
I have that article printed out. Off to dig it out.
And… I actually have Dave’s info open on my browser. Guess it’s time to read it!
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Post by artificer on May 19, 2022 17:39:49 GMT -7
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Post by artificer on May 19, 2022 17:42:30 GMT -7
Oh… that Fusil is just lovely. If I wasne building a persona, I’d build or buy a French gun. The stock architecture speaks to me. It looks like a joy in the woods. You are, of course, correct. This won’t be my last flintlock. I tend to get caught in analysis paralysis. Time to keep moving this forward. Gus… thanks! I’m planning on either a Chambers or Kibler lock. Kibler only if I end up with a non-inlet stock. I have that article printed out. Off to dig it out. And… I actually have Dave’s info open on my browser. Guess it’s time to read it! Since Jim doesn't have barrels in stock, why not contact him about seeing if one of the getz barrels will fit his kit, either with or without the barrel being inletted? Nothing against anyone who likes them, but I've found I personally DON'T like the buttstocks on French Fowlers. Gus |
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Post by hawkeyes on May 19, 2022 17:48:33 GMT -7
Gus is on to something about contacting Mr. Kibler. Late to the party but seems your on the right track.
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Post by brokennock on May 19, 2022 18:13:47 GMT -7
You're getting a lot of good advice here Ryan, from PAranger and Gus.
I agree that you should keep in mind that it won't be your last gun. That barrel would make a good early style smoothrifle. Something with a big wide buttplate, wooden patchbox, I'm thinking of guns like the Marshal rifle (only as a smoothrifle) or the Tulip Rifle. Maybe RCA #118 with it's fowler style trigger guard, single trigger and some slimmed down musket-like features. It almost reminds me of a fowling piece with a rifled barrel and patch box.
There are a lot of options with that barrel, and a lot you can learn in the process of building something while you gather parts for your ideal choice.
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on May 19, 2022 18:15:09 GMT -7
Speaking of Kibler… wasn’t he doing a Fowler next?
Gus… Chambers’s English Fowler/Fusil is currently at the top of my list. Or was. I’m going to ping Jim and Barbie again to see if lead times have changed.
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Post by brokennock on May 19, 2022 18:19:06 GMT -7
Speaking of Kibler… wasn’t he doing a Fowler next? Gus… Chambers’s English Fowler/Fusil is currently at the top of my list. Or was. I’m going to ping Jim and Barbie again to see if lead times have changed. I had been hearing for a long time that a fowler was to be the next kit from Kibler. Now, in the last few months I have been hearing that the next one is another colonial rifle based on an original, I think called the Ridge Rinner or woods runner, something like that. |
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Post by hawkeyes on May 20, 2022 4:43:54 GMT -7
Contacting Jim Chambers, miss interpretation on my part... I had contacted him about a little fellas rifle and unfortunately the wait was astronomical.
That's a good avenue to go IMO, won't be your last rifle that is for sure.
The Kibler kits are fantastic, hands down but now the market seems to be saturated with them. Love mine and wouldn't part with any as they are phenomenal shooters but something to be said about a good true build, mild or wild. Which makes me want to get my tail back at my ash stocked build.
On a side note, paranger... What's a man gotta do for that fine pieces above? Could certainly give it a good home!
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Post by paranger on May 20, 2022 5:30:38 GMT -7
On a side note, paranger... What's a man gotta do for that fine pieces above? Could certainly give it a good home! LOL...I dunno, Hawkeyes. It's the only 20 ga. I have left. I reckon you'd probably have to build me an English or colonial 20 gauge fowler to replace it 😁. |
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Y’a think I’d remember to mention that! 
Y’a think I’d remember to mention that! 
