Fusil De Chasse

[4570tc]

What is the BEST book on the Fusil De Chasse, Pictures, examples, and general research?

I have been bitten by the F D C bug! and I want to scratch the itch!

Thanks :idunno:

 

[rabjr]

I'm not keen on the books 4570 but if your thinkin on buildin one, make sure you give R.E.Davis kit a good look over. Mike Brooks built one of these and pic's are on his site. Very nice kit. :thumbsup:
http://www.redaviscompany.com/0412.html

 

[alex efremenko]

Best Book?? I'm still looking for a good book...There are few out there.

Russel Bouchard's book is alright, it deals with FDC's From tulle.Some although not the best pictures.they lack a lot of detail. Beware pices of the fusil fin in there.its commonly believed that it is a restock with some French parts.

Hamilton's
"colonial trade guns" has some pics and info but is considered a "dated book. A lot of his French translations are wrong. I know this because a frind of mine from Canada was reviewing it[the documents] for his books on Trade guns from St. Etienne. Which by the way will be full of pictures. to be released sometime this year.Some others might be able to help.But there is not a great deal of stuff ou there for the public.
But at least this will get you in the direction.

Alex.

 

[Okwaho]

I'm not keen on the books 4570 but if your thinkin on buildin one, make sure you give R.E.Davis kit a good look over. Mike Brooks built one of these and pic's are on his site. Very nice kit. :thumbsup:
http://www.redaviscompany.com/0412.html[/quote]

R E Davis does not offer a Fusil de chasse.The one Mike built and the only one that I have recommended is a "Fine Fusil" trade gun not to be confused with a Fusil de chasse or the so called Type D trade gun. :v
Tom Patton

 

[rabjr]

Well yes Tom I understand it's not exactly what he's looking for but it seems to be the most accurate "French kit" thats why I said do yourself a favor and at least look it over. :v

 

[Okwaho]

Swampy,you are correct here.The original post asked about Fusils de chasse.These guns are often incorrectly referred to as "Tulles". Tulle was a factory which from 1691 to 1741 contracted with the King through the Ministry de la Marine to manufacture hunting muskets of various types, Grenadier/ordinary Marine muskets,and Buccaneer muskets.Of these guns the Fusils de chasse and the Buccaneer muskets were also produced from the beginning by St.Etienne and other factories.

On the other hand the trade guns were from the beginning produced by major providers including St.Etienne,Liege,and assorted others.The so called Types C and D guns were trade guns and the "Fine Fusil" by Davis is the only one of this type that I can recommend.Many reenactors and others confuse these so called Type C and D guns with the Tulle products. While some Tulle Fusils de chasse were gifted to the Indian Chiefs and some others {Bouchard,"The Fusille de Tulle...",1980,P.8}, they were not trade guns per se.

As I have often said I really like the Davis Fine Fusil for two reasons.First,in comparing it to one of my Liegeoise trade guns the two are remarkably similar.Second,using the same criteria the so called Type C and D guns offered by some vendors appear to be remarkably different especially when combined with the heavily Germanic lock.

These reasons are solely mine and I do not insist that others feel bound by them.As always I welcome responsible opposing comment.
Tom Patton

 

[oneeye]

I'm not keen on the books 4570 but if your thinkin on buildin one, make sure you give R.E.Davis kit a good look over. Mike Brooks built one of these and pic's are on his site. Very nice kit. :thumbsup:
http://www.redaviscompany.com/0412.html[/quote]

Thanks for sharing this information. That is my favorite type of rifle. Need to scare up a builder for this kit :grin:
Dan

 

[Mike Brooks]

The Davis gun should actually be refereed to as "Fusil de Trait", not "Fusil Fin" The quality of engraving doesn't put it in "Fusil Fin" territory.
There are a couple other features guns were graded on in the 18th century, quality of lock and barrel. Trade gun locks were unbridled, inside and out. Trade gun barrels were also less costly with short cuts taken in construction. Decoration was present on trade guns, but it was of low quality.

 

[tg]

As mentioned not a lot of books out there but a lot of knowledge here from several of the gentlmen who have responded, as of now there are two readily avaiable pats sets for good repros of French guns the Davis set allready mentioned which has a straight stock and the TOW parts set which has a 44" barrel and a cows foot stock shape, walnut is the wood of choice and the locks may need some cosmetic work,Tip Curtis may now offer the same parts as TOW,there are many others but these are the closest and are quality parts and run the other way if someone trys to sell you a type C or D French gun.

 

[Okwaho]

The Davis gun should actually be refereed to as "Fusil de Trait", not "Fusil Fin" The quality of engraving doesn't put it in "Fusil Fin" territory.
There are a couple other features guns were graded on in the 18th century, quality of lock and barrel. Trade gun locks were unbridled, inside and out. Trade gun barrels were also less costly with short cuts taken in construction. Decoration was present on trade guns, but it was of low quality.

True Chicken Man. :bow: I prefer the French term Fusil{pronounced Fusee} de traite for trade guns in general but use terminology that "most"reenactors understand. :idunno: Actually the MMR's {Montreal Merchant's Records}show a number of different grades.I agree with you to a degree as to the varying quality of these original trade guns but in discussing the so called Type C and D guns sold by many vendors compared to the Davis "Fine Fusil {their name}there is really no comparison which is why it is the only trade gun I can recommend.
Tom Patton

 

[Okwaho]

Best Book?? I'm still looking for a good book...There are few out there.

Russel Bouchard's book is alright, it deals with FDC's From tulle.Some although not the best pictures.they lack a lot of detail. Beware pices of the fusil fin in there.its commonly believed that it is a restock with some French parts.

Hamilton's
"colonial trade guns" has some pics and info but is considered a "dated book. A lot of his French translations are wrong. I know this because a frind of mine from Canada was reviewing it[the documents] for his books on Trade guns from St. Etienne. Which by the way will be full of pictures. to be released sometime this year.Some others might be able to help.But there is not a great deal of stuff ou there for the public.
But at least this will get you in the direction.

Alex.

Alex mentioned "Colonial Frontier Guns by T.M.Hamilton and I agree that it is somewhat dated but then so is virtually everything else. On top of that some of the books are in French.Anyway here i a list of books I have found helpful.

1.T.M. Hamilton,"Early Indian Trade Guns: 1625-1775, Hamilton's first book and largely archaeological material.

2.Russel Bouchard, "Les Armes de Traite"{1970} French

3. The Canadian Journal,Arms Collecting Vol.15 No.2,Russel Bouchard
"The Trade Gun in New France 1690-1760"{ca.1977}English


4.Russel Bouchard "Les Armes de Traite"{1976}French


5. Russel Bouchard "Les fusils du poste de traite Pontchartrain:1690-1760" {1978} French

6. Russel Bouchard "The Fusil de Tulle in New France 1691-1741{1980} English
Tom Patton

With the possible exception of No.3 I believe all of these are probably available through interlibrary loan.It should also be noted that Fusils de chasse were not exclusively manufactured by Tulle.They along with Buccaneer muskets were manufactured by other makers especially St. Etienne.
Tom Patton

 

[Okwaho]

Here is a book I omitted:
Russel Bouchard,"Les Armes A Feu en Novelle-France
French - a litle technical but I should have listed it
Tom Patton

 

[dhobbs]

Uncle,
I saw you post and thought I would say Hello!! :v I won 1st place in a smoothbore match with that R.E Davis Fusil that you were so kind to help with. One thing about it....it is heavier than I am used to( that Carolina gun is so light!) but.....the R.E Davis gun shoots good. :thumbsup:

Have a good day,
David

 

[Okwaho]

David, congrats, I thought you would do well with that gun since a slightly heavier gun often does better in match shooting.My offer to reimburse you for what you have in it just went up $25.00.Will you be at Loudon to watch the bloody brits lay down their arms?I hope so .
Tom

 

[dhobbs]

Uncle,
I am looking forward to the Surrender of the Brits! My self & Lantangue(Richard Stone) are planning on driving up for that event! I will keep in mind your offer of taking that gun off my hands but.... The more I shoot it(and win) the price goes up!

Have a good day Uncle,
David

 

[dhobbs]

Uncle,
I am looking forward to watching the Brits hang their heads in defeat :surrender: ! My self & Lantangue(Richard Stone) are planning on driving up for that event! I will keep in mind your offer of taking that gun off my hands but.... The more I shoot it(and win) the price goes up!

Have a good day Uncle,
David