French type C fusil

[Russianblood]

I just purchased a French type C fusil from TOTW and I was wondering how close it is to being historically correct. I am curious but I bought it already for what it is so if it's not correct, it won't make me regret my purchase.

I have ordered a copy of "The fusil de Tulle in New France, 1691-1741" to learn more about French guns but I was hoping I could get some insite from this forum while I wait for the book to arrive.

[url] http://www.trackofthewolf.com...=12&subId=81&styleId=284&partNum=AAC-593[/url]

 

[Mike Brooks]

Incorrect lock, incorrect wood, the but stock has too much curve on th bottom, The finial on the trigger guard has been clipped off. Other than that it's perfect.

 

[Russianblood]

What about the bore size? Did they make them in 28 bore?

 

[rabjr]

Dam, they should rename it to a French Bastard gun. :haha:

 

[tg]

There have been balls of a size to fit a gun of that cal.found in French archeol. sites it would be on the small side for a hunting gun but not out of the realm of reality.

 

[No Deer]

I think that I have read that the common size for trade guns at the time was 28 gage. Don't have a reference for that, but I believe that is what I have read.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Why not simply refer to it as a "french influenced fowler"? Probably I'm overgeneralizing a bit but a lot of guns were put together during the time of the revolutionary war from old parts and broken guns. It's a nice looking smoothie!!

 

[Russianblood]

I think it will fit in just fine for my Michigan based persona. And as for being 28 bore, I love the smaller gauge smoothbores. I plan on using it more as a smoothrifle anyways.

 

[TANSTAAFL]

I think it will fit in just fine for my Michigan based persona. And as for being 28 bore, I love the smaller gauge smoothbores. I plan on using it more as a smoothrifle anyways.

Congrats on the purchase.

By any name or period it looks good to me, if you are satisfied with it, that is all that matters in the long run.

Few years back I built up a plain Jane pseudo fusil de chasse, iron furniture, dark maple wood, .62 with a oct. to rd. 46" swamped bbl. PC to most, no, (mox nix) satisfying to me, you bet, it is my favorite piece, I use it ten to one over any of the others I have.

 

[Gemoke]

As others have said not pc, but a real nice looking gun.I have a 28ga fusil fin with a rear sight and a 20ga fusil ordinaire both are stocked in maple not pc but their mine and I like them just the way they are.

 

[Okwaho]

Incorrect lock, incorrect wood, the but stock has too much curve on th bottom, The finial on the trigger guard has been clipped off. Other than that it's perfect.

I agree with Mike here.The so called Type C and D guns are more correctly termed Fusils fin de chasse and are usually brass mounted. This gun should have a somewhat straighter stock with a comb which meets the wrist with less drop and the toe line has too much curve.The lock is a Germanic Jaeger styled lock which has no place on a French Fusil fin.Either the L&R Early Trade Lock or R.E.Davis Tulle Arsenal lock would have been preferable.The French did use a round faced banana styled lock in the 1690's but not this Germanic lock.

As to the 28 bore,it is correct.An excellent book on firearms used at Fort Michilimackinac {held by the French {1715-1763} by T. M.Hamilton{1976}in Ch.V,"Balls"PP.33-34 shows a list of 488 recovered undeformed balls and the most common are .55,.56,.57,.58,.59 {Diameter in inches}in quantities of 47,69,84,65,and 44. These are in the range of 28 gauge and the gun in question has a bore size of .550.
The book you have ordered is one of three publications by Russel Bouchard{one in French} and is a good reference on these French Fusils.
Tom Patton

 

[Russianblood]

Thank you for the actual explanation of what is "incorrect" with it. That is very helpful. :hatsoff:

 

[BCarp]

Why not simply refer to it as a "french influenced fowler"? Probably I'm overgeneralizing a bit but a lot of guns were put together during the time of the revolutionary war from old parts and broken guns. It's a nice looking smoothie!!

Almost seems like it should've been described as one of these, not a French Type C:

 

[subknave]

This brings up another question. Who would you say has the most correct reproduction guns?

 

[Slowpoke]

This brings up another question. Who would you say has the most correct reproduction guns?

Wow... this should be fun, almost worth starting a new thread.

 

[Mike Brooks]

French guns? I'd say RE Davis has the best with their Fusil Fin. I'm not familiar enough with who's offering what to rate the dealers that are offering De Chasses.
All of Chambers kits are good. I have no first hand experience with Track's offerings.
I'm completly unimpressed with any of the india/paki guns on the market.

 

[bnail]

French guns? I'd say RE Davis has the best

Mike, is RE Davis finishing it yet? I drooled so much over that website (RE Davis) that I shorted out my keyboard! :winking:

 

[Stophel]

Davis has a 48" long barrel with a nice, big 1 1/4" breech for their French guns, which I have been intending to get and try out (though not for a French gun...).

I have never seen one of these guns firsthand, but have seen a late 17th century one that was restocked (early 19th century, probably New England). Iron "bulbous" hardware, LARGE breeched barrel with DEEP square proof or maker's marks in the left oblique flat at the breech. Unfortunately, an early 19th century lock was used in the restock, so I don't know what the original lock was like, but can imagine a nice, fat, round faced one.

 

[tg]

I would say either the Davis gun or the TOW 44" "Tulle" parts set with some modifications.I don't know of anyone who puts out a good one that is finished, unless it was built to order from a knowledgeable builder.

 

[Mike Brooks]

French guns? I'd say RE Davis has the best

Mike, is RE Davis finishing it yet? I drooled so much over that website (RE Davis) that I shorted out my keyboard! :winking:

No, I don't believe they have any intention of selling finished guns. I wouldn't mind having one of those guns myself.....