Patterned after the French trade guns originally made in France, at the Tulle arsenal, or at Saint Etienne, the French fusil-de-chasse was a light weight gun-for-the-hunt. The stock architecture and iron trim resemble those of the heavier French military muskets, with a slender graceful appearance. In 1716 the Governor of New France requested “600 fusils de chasse from Tulle, because they are the best. The Natives know them and will not accept any others." By 1746 Tulle was unable to meet the demand for the fusil de chasse in the Canadian market, and similar muskets were being produced at St. Etienne. Many trade guns of this design would have been in service for decades by the time of the American Revolution.
Traditionally stocked in walnut, or fruit wood this fusil is stocked in dark stained maple with a golden undertone. The book Colonial Frontier Guns by T.M. Hamilton illustrates a antique French Tulle musket restocked in curly maple. The L&R Trade flintlock, octagon-to-round barrel, and iron furniture are finished to a blue with just a hint of gray undertone. Weighing in at 7.7 pounds the fusil has a trigger reach of 13-3/4" making it well suited for today's average size shooter.
The Colerain 20 gauge smoothbore octagon-to-round has a tapered octagon breech for 12-1/4" before transitioning to round with a single wedding band. The barrel is finished to a smooth dark blue with does have one small bright spot 17-1/2" ahead of the breech. A brass blade front sight is soldered behind the muzzle in French fashion. The breech end of the barrel is signed with a mark and the number 173.
The sweeping architecture of the French fusil buttstock is quite comfortable to shoot. The wide flat buttplate is an advantage, since it reduces the felt recoil when firing full loads. Stocked in maple the stock has attractive shaping and appears to be in as-new condition. The iron triggerguard is mounted with screws, a correct technique on a French fusil de chasse. Three iron ramrod pipes retain the wooden ramrod. The wooden ramrod is finished with a brass tip that is threaded 8-32 for your loading and cleaning attachments, and a turned horn tip on the opposite end. This smoothbore uses the simple flat military style sideplate common to the fusil-de-chasse, and French Marine fusils, made at Tulle, St. Etienne, Charleville, and Mauberg.
This simple trade lock is typical of those made from 1730 through 1770 and is typical of the style used on the French fusil-de-chasse. The plain design, Spartan features, and lack of decoration enabled the maker to produce it quickly. Indians, fur trappers and pioneers prized the lock's simplicity for its reliability in long service. Notice the flat faced plate with chamfered edge, and integral pan with no pan bridle arm. The frizzen pivots on a sturdy shouldered screw. The plain cock, undecorated frizzen, and simple frizzen spring finial all reflect the early design of this trade flint lock. Inside, the plate is polished bright. L&R's early trade lock is fitted with best quality classic flint style internal parts. The tumbler has a “fly" detent for a set trigger, and turned bearings around the axles. We recommend our 7/8" gun flints for this lock.
A slotted stainless steel vent liner is positioned well above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash. If your flint longrifle suffers from that infamous slow whoosh-bang ignition delay, study the work of today's best gun makers, and position your vent well centered on the pan, high above the bottom, to serve as a window on the center of the flash.
This French fusil appears to have seen little use with a few marks on the frizzen and blue finish. This handy French fusil, would make a fine addition to anyone's collection or 18th century impression. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
