Debating Selling my Indian Bess

[kje54]

And buying an Indian Fusil. At 68 years old I'm not going to fight in any more reenactments so considering replacing my 1st Pattern Long Land with a Fusil which I believe would be more accurate with a civilian persona (1760s). Not sure if a civilian (possibly a militia man) would have picked up and kept a Bess during and after the F&I War.
Any ideas?

 

[Tumbledown]

A 1st Pattern Long Land would be perfect for the 1760s. By the end of the F&I War, many were old and worn out, or relegated to militia use in the Colonies.

If you want something more appropriate for a civilian, an early trade gun as a generic fowler would be good.

 

[Artificer]

And buying an Indian Fusil. At 68 years old I'm not going to fight in any more reenactments so considering replacing my 1st Pattern Long Land with a Fusil which I believe would be more accurate with a civilian persona (1760s). Not sure if a civilian (possibly a militia man) would have picked up and kept a Bess during and after the F&I War.
Any ideas?

Chances are if you had a 1st Pattern Long Land Bess during the FIW, it was issued to you and you would have been required to turn it in after the conflict. Still it is possible you might be allowed to keep it for militia duty, depending on where you live/d.

Having said that, you probably would have had some kind of smoothbore fowler or would get one, as it would be lighter and more versatile. Then keep the Bess as a back up.

Gus

 

[inShane64]

I am pretty new to this forum so i hope this type of reply isn't against etiquette:

As a grandson that had his grandpa sell his guns without letting me know, please let the people you care about know that you are selling it. It may mean something to them. I'd give anything to have one of my grandpa's guns. He shot and won many awards, I wish I had the opportunity to purchase one as an heirloom type item.

 

[kje54]

I am pretty new to this forum so i hope this type of reply isn't against etiquette:

As a grandson that had his grandpa sell his guns without letting me know, please let the people you care about know that you are selling it. It may mean something to them. I'd give anything to have one of my grandpa's guns. He shot and won many awards, I wish I had the opportunity to purchase one as an heirloom type item.

I get what your saying but this is not a family heirloom, it's a reproduction made in India and no one in my family even knows I have one.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

What is a fusil?

 

[kje54]

What is a fusil?

The French Fusil de Chasse (smooth bore) also known simply as the Tvlle which the French brought over to North America in the thousands. They were the French "trade gun".

 

[tenngun]

Depends on when and where we use the word. Generally fusil means smoothbore light civilian gun made for ball. As of n above French fusil de chase.
Today the French apply it to shotguns.
The NWG was often called names like ‘London Fuze’ or Indian fuzee
In general we mean a ball or buck and ball civilian gun. Lighter and smaller caliber then a musket.
Many colonial period smoothbore Fowling guns are about the same as fusils. Run of the mill civilian Fowling guns tended to be heavier then a fine gentleman’s fowler, and in real use acted more like a fusil.
A man living in less settled area, who still hunts for the table would likely have a fusil, cheaper and easier to use then a rifle, could fill the need if the militia is called out but lighter then a musket.
As above a man issued a kings musket was expected to care for it and return it at end of service. However guns did get in to civilian hands. And could be altered and even restocked to serve his needs.
The colonial forces did get British guns. And the committee of safety looked like British muskets.
Guns got broken stocks , and were dropped by soldiers fleeing the broken line. Old guns got repurposed
In 1770 a civilian caught with a kings musket would have to have a good excuse to have had it. That said what were the chances of being ‘caught’ with one?

 

[kje54]

Well I sold the Bess + accessories and waiting on the Fusil.

 

[Master Blaster]

Please let us know if/when sellers remorse begins to set in.

 

[kje54]

Please let us know if/when sellers remorse begins to set in.

It's already set in a couple of times and I'm still working on the shipping box for it. But I remind myself that I'm too old and fat to play soldier any longer and the Fusil de Chasse was the first flintlock I wanted aside from the old Kentucky Longrifle. Also the Bess was a wall hanger the whole time I owned it, better in the hands of someone who will put it to good use.

 

[ArmorerRoy]

I have it on good authority that it’s going to a good home and will get lots of use. Lol

 

[kje54]

The Bess should be going out on Monday and my fusil arrived today. Fit and finish looks good, not great but good, no complaints here. Took the lock off and the innards look okay to me but I'm not an expert. Put a flint in it and it sparks just fine.
Here's the back side of the lock:

I cleaned most of that grease off and I suspect I'll have to swipe the barrel, probably grease down there also. I have to drill the touch hole, not sure yet if I want to keep it simple or drill and tap it for a liner.

 

[tenngun]

Originals didn’t have liners, but as a sport shooter you will find a liner improves ignition

 

[ArmorerRoy]

Who did you order your fusil from?

 

[kje54]

Who did you order your fusil from?

Military Heritage. I meant to order it from Loyalist Arms but at the time I had forgotten about them.

 

[Ballshooter]

Pictures of the whole fusil and maybe the lock mortise?

 

[kje54]

Pictures of the whole fusil and maybe the lock mortise?

I'll probably get those tomorrow but the lock mortise is rough to say the least but nothing appears to be binding. Looks like whoever did that mortise went at it with a miniature adze. I'll end up cleaning that up..........

 

[Billy-by-gosh]

The Bess should be going out on Monday and my fusil arrived today. Fit and finish looks good, not great but good, no complaints here. Took the lock off and the innards look okay to me but I'm not an expert. Put a flint in it and it sparks just fine.
Here's the back side of the lock:

View attachment 178502

I cleaned most of that grease off and I suspect I'll have to swipe the barrel, probably grease down there also. I have to drill the touch hole, not sure yet if I want to keep it simple or drill and tap it for a liner.

Regarding the touch hole situation, if you want to use a plain drilled hole, you can always do a liner later. Please check the location of the breechplug face before you drill though! If it's clear of your touch hole location you can proceed; if not you've got a bit more complicated process and might want to get professional assistance.
Why not do an External coned touch hole? Use a 1/16" drill bit, then grind or ream it open a bit. Be certain to leave enough barrel metal at the bore wall, though. Later, you can always add a liner if desired.
I would also buff and re- lube/grease the internal contact points of your lock.

 

[kje54]

Pictures of the whole fusil and maybe the lock mortise?

I did get the mortise picture, forgot to do the whole fusil. I have no idea what those two metal pieces are for. I wasn't kidding about the miniature adze..........