Starting a walnut flintlock fowler

I got the maple stock for the trade gun worked down as far as I could and returned it to Dad to start inletting parts. I now have a walnut blank, going to become an American composite fowler. Pretty much a gun made from recycled and salvaged parts, very common in the 18th century. This one will also be 16 gage, 44 inch barrel.

Another nice one!

I'll be following this. Fascinating !

watching ,

Me too ! A 16 gauge fowler I reckon they are not all that comon . It should be special 1

20 gage definitely seems to be the most abundant out there. 16 should throw a pretty nice pattern, along with a hefty round ball.

A little more progress. Started shaping the wrist and comb.

Thank you for posting, I like following your builds!

k snow My knowledge of muzzle loaders is very limited .When you mention that this gun should throw a nice pattern and a hefty round . Are you saying it can be used as shotgun or rifle .And if that is the case are there other caliber/gauges that are able to be used the same way And for now 1 more question . About how far would it be effective as a rifle range wise , .

Since the bore is smooth (think modern shotgun) you can shoot shot loads or a single roundball of near bore diameter. Smoothbores (or fowlers) are most common in 20 gage, but come from 10 gage down to half inch bore. Military muskets are smoothbore and generally in the 75 to 80 caliber range. Most fowlers today are not equipped with a front sight, though many from the 18th century did have rear sights. They can be made deer hunting accurate to 50 or 60 yards, much past that and they start losing accuracy fast. We can consistently shoot 5 shot groups you can cover with the palm of your hand at 25 yards. Shot patterns are much more open than a modern shotgun as most smoothbores are cylinder bore.
I have a load that is good for turkey out to 25 yards.
In my 20 gages, I shoot a 0.620 inch roundball, on top of 75 to 90 grains of 2F powder.
The 16's will probably get a 0.650 ball.
Dad has a Belgian style musket that mics out at .80 caliber, we shoot a 0.750 ball out of that, over 100 plus grains of 2F powder. That's an awesome load for cutting 2x4s in competition.

Very interesting info .Thanks for your insight on how the same gun can be used in several different ways Is the smoothbore ever loaded with buckshot that would be the equivalent of buckshot in a modern day shotgun ?Also are they called fowlers because the where the gun of choice for the market hunters ?

Yep, any size shot can be used in them. Historically in combat and some hunting, they would use buck and ball loads, typically 3 or 4 buckshot that would sit level in the bore and a ball on top.

Correct on the naming, in the period they were often called fowling pieces (in English). French guns were often called fusils. Duck, goose and swan were primary targets. Musket is a term used for military guns. Many old fowling pieces were also carried into battle by militia units, as most were required to furnish their own arms. These often have the end of the stock cut back to fit a bayonet.

A little more work again tonight. More wrist and lock panel shaping.

One gun.....can shoot Mice..to....Moose

.36 cal balls (4-5) for buck shot

1 1/2 ounce of any shot you want to use.

And if the Indians are coming and your out of lead....a mix of sand ,nails and broken glass with get their attention

Looking good ... there Pilgrim !

I always figured a hickory nut would smart something fierce out of a fowler. Never have tried shooting one

You are a very talented craftsman enjoy your posts

looking good