Patchbox lined with velvet and my new 'Possibles Bag' (aka Shotgun shell bag )
Just the wrist plate to go back in now.
I'm also making the range rod and fittings for this Fowler (I always make my own).
https://ibb.co/jDT9bbs
https://ibb.co/4V58VS1
Patchbox lined with velvet and my new 'Possibles Bag' (aka Shotgun shell bag )
Just the wrist plate to go back in now.
I'm also making the range rod and fittings for this Fowler (I always make my own).
https://ibb.co/jDT9bbs
https://ibb.co/4V58VS1
You appear to have a very well equipped workshop that is better than the average hobbyist or model engineer.
Did you make the sling swivels on a former or did you do them in a die on a fly-press? I know from experience that bending something like that by hand is very difficult to get even on both legs/sides.
The barrel appears to have Belgian proof marks and the bore at 18.8mm. Why was it necessary to have it reproofed?
I annealed the steel to glowing red. I then made a 6mm x 25mm flat steel plate with rounded ends and marked out the half way point on the rods and plate. I then clamped it in my vice and formed the rod around the steel plate using a big hammer and brass bar as a drift. I then made up a brass wire form and used it as a guide to bend up the last bit. As you say, getting the legs at the same length and angle was very tricky. Out of the whole build, I felt making these swivels was the most out of control and time consuming bit of the whole thing!
My workshop is nothing special, just the basic model engineering/modelling type stuff. Nothing too surprising to be found in it, all the normal stuff.
I bought the Fowler quite cheap and it had been messed with and dressed up (poorly in my opinion) to make it more presentable. The gun does/did have a Belgian proof on it and a club member did suggested I just shoot it. However, due the price I paid and it's overall condition, I felt it would be a very good use of £90 to simply reproof it for piece of mind. Those that know me in my club know I don't do anything by half. I value the bits on my body quite highly and wouldn't want to see them splashed all over the range if I took a chance :-0
Barrel is 16g (0.670", 17mm)
One must always remember safety first with firearms!
Money can't buy new body parts.
Now I have full confidence in the barrel, so will my club and any future owner :-)
Last edited by MrChipShoulder; 15-05-2020 at 09:11 PM.
My wrist plate came back today engraved
So once it is set back in to the gun, that's the whole job finished.
Thanks, and I hope somebody found it interesting at the very least?
https://ibb.co/JxZgwDy
https://ibb.co/Hq2rj9z
https://ibb.co/VTYb14Y
Last edited by MrChipShoulder; 16-05-2020 at 02:59 PM.
thats very nice work, I bet you cant wait to try it
Just think. All those rattly, ratty old fowling pieces you see in antique shops and auctions, all looked as good as this about 170 years ago.
The South of England has 2 good things, the M1 and the A1. Both will take you to Yorkshire.