Fusil de Chasse, at last!!!

[pipascus]

Howdy!
I just got my fusil de chasse from The Muzzleloader Shop.
Originally contacted Loyalist Arms but Linda Higgins, of the same company, referred me to The Muzzleloader Shop, as they are behind schedule.

The Muzzleloader Shop was great to deal with. Marty was the person I dealt with and he was really helpful.
A few photos attached.

Would appreciate some advice to see if I am correct and as to how to proceed.
I ordered some 600 balls and will try it out some time next week hopefully.

I am thinking it could use some wood removal (photos attached). I don't mind this at all, and it will give me an opportunity to personalize this fusil a bit.
The "flats" on the barrel, before the wedding ring, don't seem as flat as what I see in photos. Would filing these down a bit, in the exposed area, be OK?
Also thinking if there's a way to add a serpent sideplate, maybe some beaded decoration?

So far, my persona is leaning towards a Spaniard or French man living with one of the tribes up around Canada during the French and Indian War or just before. Maybe the Abenaki or something. Prefer Spanish as that is my ancestry, and I will NOT eat escargot!!! Plus I speak fluent Spanish and failed French in high school.

So anyway, any advice on the wood removal and other improvements would be appreciated.

 

[bud in pa]

It should be Ok to straighten out the flats. Snails with butter and garlic sauce are delish!

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

Howdy!
I just got my fusil de chasse from The Muzzleloader Shop.
Originally contacted Loyalist Arms but Linda Higgins, of the same company, referred me to The Muzzleloader Shop, as they are behind schedule.

The Muzzleloader Shop was great to deal with. Marty was the person I dealt with and he was really helpful.
A few photos attached.

Would appreciate some advice to see if I am correct and as to how to proceed.
I ordered some 600 balls and will try it out some time next week hopefully.

I am thinking it could use some wood removal (photos attached). I don't mind this at all, and it will give me an opportunity to personalize this fusil a bit.
The "flats" on the barrel, before the wedding ring, don't seem as flat as what I see in photos. Would filing these down a bit, in the exposed area, be OK?
Also thinking if there's a way to add a serpent sideplate, maybe some beaded decoration?

So far, my persona is leaning towards a Spaniard or French man living with one of the tribes up around Canada during the French and Indian War or just before. Maybe the Abenaki or something. Prefer Spanish as that is my ancestry, and I will NOT eat escargot!!! Plus I speak fluent Spanish and failed French in high school.

So anyway, any advice on the wood removal and other improvements would be appreciated.

Is this the vendor located in Berryville, Arkansas?

 

[Clark Badgett]

So anyway, any advice on the wood removal and other improvements would be appreciated.

Are you sure your really want advice on how to improve this…..thing?

 

[pipascus]

Is this the vendor located in Berryville, Arkansas?

Yes it is. Why?

 

[pipascus]

Are you sure your really want advice on how to improve this…..thing?

Not sure what you mean by "thing".
It's not at the level of a top piece, but I have read they shoot well and believe it can be improved with some wood work.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Best of luck and have fun!

 

[PathfinderNC]

First things first- does the gun fire? Often times the locks on these are such that the gun rarely preforms as it could and your frustration levels will go through the roof.
If you have a good sparking lock, and you feel that it is worth putting some sweat equity into making a good looking Fusil, get ready for some hard work ahead.
But before you actually DO anything, get a hold of a quality Fusil de Chasse if you can, and hold it and study it.
If that’s not possible, look at as many pictures as you can find of historic pieces (not photos of modern production ones as you now have).
Then take the gun apart. Remove all the hardware ( mounts), and begin removing wood. Lots of it. Keep an eye on the originals you hade studied and try and copy them.
The good thing is that there is plenty of material that can come off, as opposed to having need to add material!
I would start with the center of the gun around the lock and breech. From there, work your way forward on the forearm and rearward down the wrist to the butt stock.
I have seen what some members here have done with India made flintlocks and was nicely suprised. It won’t be a high quality firearm but could certainly be a better piece than what the manufacturer produced.
Do not be afraid to ask for guidance. There are great builders here who are generous and knowledgeable who can be of great support.
Good luck and congratulations on your new gun. I’m hoping you love shooting it and growing in your skills as a flintlock shooter!

 

[Clark Badgett]

Not sure what you mean by "thing".
It's not at the level of a top piece, but I have read they shoot well and believe it can be improved with some wood work.

I say thing, because there is absolutely nothing on it that actually resembles a fusil de chasse. To improve it, you would need to send it back and get your money back. All the furnishings are incorrect, the stock way to curved, the rammer is a mile away from the barrel, the lock is even shaped wrong, and the front sight looks like a bayonet lug instead of a quarter moon.

 

[pipascus]

First things first- does the gun fire? Often times the locks on these are such that the gun rarely preforms as it could and your frustration levels will go through the roof.
If you have a good sparking lock, and you feel that it is worth putting some sweat equity into making a good looking Fusil, get ready for some hard work ahead.
But before you actually DO anything, get a hold of a quality Fusil de Chasse if you can, and hold it and study it.
If that’s not possible, look at as many pictures as you can find of historic pieces (not photos of modern production ones as you now have).
Then take the gun apart. Remove all the hardware ( mounts), and begin removing wood. Lots of it. Keep an eye on the originals you hade studied and try and copy them.
The good thing is that there is plenty of material that can come off, as opposed to having need to add material!
I would start with the center of the gun around the lock and breech. From there, work your way forward on the forearm and rearward down the wrist to the butt stock.
I have seen what some members here have done with India made flintlocks and was nicely suprised. It won’t be a high quality firearm but could certainly be a better piece than what the manufacturer produced.
Do not be afraid to ask for guidance. There are great builders here who are generous and knowledgeable who can be of great support.
Good luck and congratulations on your new gun. I’m hoping you love shooting it and growing in your skills as a flintlock shooter!

First, thank you for the helpful input instead of a snarky "if you want to improve it-get rid of it" childish nonsense.
I figured it wouldn't be perfect, but that it would allow me to do some work and make it a bit better. I kind of thought of it as a sort of kit.
I can see there is a lot of wood that can be removed-seems like close to a quarter inch on the sides even.
Figured it can be a good shooter and eventually can even be a loner for a friend once I can afford a totally accurate reproduction.
I am wondering if there is a way to move the swipe stick closer to the barrel. Wood removal, of course.

I have seen photos of some old flintlocks that look beat to hell. At worst, I figure this one, after some work, can at least pass for a well used battle fusi.

I ordered some ball for it. I already have powder. Will test it once the balls get here.

I am already looking for pictures of originals to see what I can do.

 

[PathfinderNC]

I say thing, because there is absolutely nothing on it that actually resembles a fusil de chasse. To improve it, you would need to send it back and get your money back. All the furnishings are incorrect, the stock way to curved, the rammer is a mile away from the barrel, the lock is even shaped wrong, and the front sight looks like a bayonet lug instead of a quarter moon.

But remember that we all started somewhere before we became so knowledgeable.
I am excited when someone like the OP steps forward and asks our community for advise as he begins on anew and exciting journey in Muzzleloading (especially flintlocks!)
It’s a big tent and there is room for the well advanced as well as the budding novice.
We all do what we can with the things we have.

 

[Banjoman]

Hey, I like it! If it works and fires then just shoot it a lot. Refinish it if you want. They can be made to look better. I have an India made, .60 caliber Fusil de Chasse that was refinished by a gun builder. He said he took almost a pound of wood off it and I believe him. I use a .575 patched round ball, which probably ain’t historically correct, but I can consistently hit a pop can at 25-30 yards with it.

 

[Clark Badgett]

First, thank you for the helpful input instead of a snarky "if you want to improve it-get rid of it" childish nonsense.
I figured it wouldn't be perfect, but that it would allow me to do some work and make it a bit better. I kind of thought of it as a sort of kit.
I can see there is a lot of wood that can be removed-seems like close to a quarter inch on the sides even.
Figured it can be a good shooter and eventually can even be a loner for a friend once I can afford a totally accurate reproduction.
I am wondering if there is a way to move the swipe stick closer to the barrel. Wood removal, of course.

I have seen photos of some old flintlocks that look beat to hell. At worst, I figure this one, after some work, can at least pass for a well used battle fusi.

I ordered some ball for it. I already have powder. Will test it once the balls get here.

I am already looking for pictures of originals to see what I can do.

There was nothing childish at all in my response. It was simply honesty and fact. The gun that was sent to you will never look like what was advertised as. Unlike some other India guns which get somewhere in the ball park, this one didn’t.

 

[Clark Badgett]

But remember that we all started somewhere before we became so knowledgeable.
I am excited when someone like the OP steps forward and asks our community for advise as he begins on anew and exciting journey in Muzzleloading (especially flintlocks!)
It’s a big tent and there is room for the well advanced as well as the budding novice.
We all do what we can with the things we have.

Yes and thank God I had knowledgeable people tell me the truth about what I asked about.

 

[pipascus]

I say thing, because there is absolutely nothing on it that actually resembles a fusil de chasse. To improve it, you would need to send it back and get your money back. All the furnishings are incorrect, the stock way to curved, the rammer is a mile away from the barrel, the lock is even shaped wrong, and the front sight looks like a bayonet lug instead of a quarter moon.

I appreciate everyone's input, suggestions, and even telling me to make sure it shoots well, that it needs a good deal of work, etc.
I do not appreciate your snarky comment and arrogant attitude.
I was looking up posts by others and there you are, all over the place, putting things down and being a "Negative Nancy".

You seem to have a good deal of knowledge about these firearms, so how about using that knowledge, along with a little bit of common tact and grace, to help people improve them instead of knocking them?

I bought a Jim Chambers Mark Silver rifle kit in 2006 that I have not been able to finish due to life just getting in the way. I am at the tail end of a divorce which has made it even more difficult now with most everything needing to go into storage while I live in my tiny Casita camper.

I do not have $2000+ to drop on a perfect replica right now, and I don't have the tools and setup to work on a good kit, but I can do some basic improvements on this gun. This replica will serve as a stopgap to at least help me finally get into muzzle-loading, historical trekking and God willing I can finish that Mark Silver Rifle when I get back on my feet. I can then get a more accurate FDC and use this as a loaner or whatever for a friend who may be interested.

That being said, again: I welcome suggestions to make it more acceptable. Once I am sure it shoots well, I can move forward with improving it.

 

[pipascus]

But remember that we all started somewhere before we became so knowledgeable.
I am excited when someone like the OP steps forward and asks our community for advise as he begins on anew and exciting journey in Muzzleloading (especially flintlocks!)
It’s a big tent and there is room for the well advanced as well as the budding novice.
We all do what we can with the things we have.

Thank you.
I know it isn't a very accurate reproduction, but I hope I can at least make it look pretty good, as long as it shoots well.

 

[Clark Badgett]

I appreciate everyone's input, suggestions, and even telling me to make sure it shoots well, that it needs a good deal of work, etc.
I do not appreciate your snarky comment and arrogant attitude.
I was looking up posts by others and there you are, all over the place, putting things down and being a "Negative Nancy".

You seem to have a good deal of knowledge about these firearms, so how about using that knowledge, along with a little bit of common tact and grace, to help people improve them instead of knocking them?

I bought a Jim Chambers Mark Silver rifle kit in 2006 that I have not been able to finish due to life just getting in the way. I am at the tail end of a divorce which has made it even more difficult now with most everything needing to go into storage while I live in my tiny Casita camper.

I do not have $2000+ to drop on a perfect replica right now, and I don't have the tools and setup to work on a good kit, but I can do some basic improvements on this gun. This replica will serve as a stopgap to at least help me finally get into muzzle-loading, historical trekking and God willing I can finish that Mark Silver Rifle when I get back on my feet. I can then get a more accurate FDC and use this as a loaner or whatever for a friend who may be interested.

That being said, again: I welcome suggestions to make it more acceptable. Once I am sure it shoots well, I can move forward with improving it.

Then you are free to out me on ignore because I am not going to blow smoke up your backside.

 

[2 shots]

welcome cant tell from pics. is the vent hole drilled??

 

[pipascus]

Then you are free to out me on ignore because I am not going to blow smoke up your backside.

I'm not asking you to lie or BS me, I am asking you to offer your obviously very informed input on how to make this thing better.
Is that so difficult to do?
Will it ever pass as an authentic fusil de chasse on close inspection? I guess not. But it can at least make an acceptable gun that looks nice.
Otherwise, since I put up this post, it is you who needs to ignore and go elsewhere.

 

[pipascus]

welcome cant tell from pics. is the vent hole drilled??

Thank you!
Yes it is.
I am looking forward to getting some .600 roundballs in a few days and test firing it.