fowling piece

English

Noun

fowling piece (plural fowling pieces)

1. A light gun with smooth bore, adapted for the use of small shot in killing birds or small animals.
   • 1842, [anonymous collaborator of Letitia Elizabeth Landon], chapter XLIV, in Lady Anne Granard; or, Keeping up Appearances. […], volume II, London: Henry Colburn, […], →OCLC, page 266:

     "Dear Grandfather———" his lordship began with a very grave face, and was certainly on the point of making a confession, but his servant, entering with a variety of fowling-pieces, sent for his choice from my lord, together with a shot-bag, jacket, &c.;...

   • 1912, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Lost World […], London, New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:

     What could I do? My useless fowling-piece was in my hand. What help could I get from that? I looked desperately round for some rock or tree[.]