Pronunciation: [fˈa͡ʊlɪŋ pˈiːs] (IPA) 
The spelling "fowling piece" refers to a type of shotgun commonly used for hunting waterfowl. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /ˈfaʊlɪŋ piːs/. The first syllable "fowl" rhymes with "owl" and the second syllable "ing" is pronounced like the "ing" in "sing". The word "piece" is pronounced with a long "e" sound, like the word "beast". When put together, the word is pronounced as "FOW-ling-peece".
A fowling piece is a type of firearm specifically designed for hunting birds and other small game. It is typically a long-barreled, smoothbore shotgun that is optimized for shooting shotshells instead of solid bullets. The name "fowling piece" originated from its historical use in fowling, which refers to the act of hunting birds.
The fowling piece is designed to disperse one or multiple projectiles, known as shot, which are small metal pellets that scatter upon exiting the barrel. This provides a wider spread of the shot, increasing the chances of hitting a moving target, such as a flying bird. The smooth barrel of a fowling piece does not impart any spin on the shot, unlike rifled barrels used in other types of firearms. This lack of spin allows for a greater spread pattern and a shorter effective range.
Traditionally, fowling pieces have been crafted with wooden stocks and often feature intricate engravings and carvings. They typically have a relatively simple action, such as a break-action or pump-action mechanism, to facilitate quick reloading. Over time, advancements in firearm technology have led to the development of more modern fowling pieces with features like interchangeable chokes, improved recoil reduction systems, and synthetic stocks.
Fowling pieces are primarily used for recreational hunting, particularly bird hunting, as their wide shot spread increases the probability of a successful hit. However, they can also be used for other small game hunting, such as rabbits or squirrels, due to their versatility and adaptability to different hunting situations.
A light gun for shooting birds.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "fowling piece" has its roots in the Middle English language. The term "fowling" comes from the Old English word "fugel" or "fugol", which means bird. It evolved into "fowling", which describes the act of hunting or shooting birds. The word "piece" in this context refers to a firearm or a specific type of gun. Therefore, a "fowling piece" originally referred to a firearm used for hunting birds. Over time, the term has become somewhat archaic, as modern equivalents such as "shotgun" or "bird gun" are more commonly used.
