2011 CLA Show: Photos

The Kentucky Rifle Foundation Display contained examples of Buck and Ball, Smooth  Rifles and Fowlers.

The smooth bore: Smooth Rifle, Buck & Ball, Fowler and Plain Guns offered the common man the most versatile and practical firearm of the times.

A thick walled smooth bore barrel allowed the owner to hunt with a tightly patched ball, a load of buck shot or a small game and/or bird shot.

When pin point accuracy beyond 60 yards was not a requirement the smooth gun was the common man's choice.

Buck and Ball Characteristics:

Octagan to Round Barrel - Smooth Bore

Rifle Sights

Grip Rail Trigger Guard

Flat Toe

Cheek Rest

With or Without Patch Box

With or Without Carving

Smooth Rifle Characteristics:

Full Octagan to Round Barrel - Smooth Bore

Rifle Sights

Grip Rail Trigger Guard

Flat Toe

Cheek Rest

With or Without Patch Box

With or Without Carving

Fowler Characteristics:

Octagan to Round or Full Round Barrel - Smooth Bore

With or Without Rifle Sights

No Grip Rail on Trigger Guard

Rounded Toe

No Cheek Rest

With (very rare) or Without Patch Box

With or Without Carving

Copy by the Kentucky Rifle Foundation. Photographed at the 2011 CLA Show by Jan Riser.