Fusile vs Fowler for future Smoothrifle

[Toklo Etee]

I have had the privilege to handle some original French & Leige guns owned by my Uncle. One of the major issues with most French gun kits is the 42" barrels......most of originals have 44" + barrels. The stocks should be walnut. To my eye the stock architecture just seems odd. If you look in Tolsten Lenks book there are several early French guns....1690-1700 the architecture is some what harsh.....by 1720 the stock architecture tends to morph closer to that profile of the R E Davis Fusil kit. A friend of mine had fantastic Fusil Fin built by Larry Horrigan this past year.....the gun shoots good in addition to being a good reproduction....it has a 54" barrel.....it only weights 7 pounds but it points like my uncle's originals

 

[Cruzatte]

I really like the RK07, but alas i am devil handed. Thus compounding the situation.

I wouldn't let that hinder me at all. You see, a fusil, like the Smiling Fox model for example, is built on a straight stock, that is no cast on, nor cast off. The butt stock is also symmetrical, in that there is no cheek piece.

I'm also of the sinister persuasion, and am building Track of the Wolf's fusil de chasse, which of course has the lock on the starboard side.

 

[Jfoster]

I wouldn't let that hinder me at all. You see, a fusil, like the Smiling Fox model for example, is built on a straight stock, that is no cast on, nor cast off. The butt stock is also symmetrical, in that there is no cheek piece.

I'm also of the sinister persuasion, and am building Track of the Wolf's fusil de chasse, which of course has the lock on the starboard side.

Does tracks have the large drop style stock?

 

[Jfoster]

I think i have settled on a fowler in the end. Specifically the colonial i linked prior. For a 1750s-1780s period brass would have been the most prominent fixture option correct? I plan on browning the barrel and lock, doing the maple up one grade from basic, and brass fixtures. Just wanted to check that brass would be the go to and not steel.

 

[tenngun]

I just bought a kit from sitting fox and have no complaints about it. In terms of prices they will go higher then what’s quoted in the web site.
I would also consider track’s colonial fowler or english fowler.

 

[Cruzatte]

Does tracks have the large drop style stock?

Large drop style stock? Um.....not sure. Take a look

If you mean the pied de vache, yes, very much so.

 

[Jfoster]

I just bought a kit from sitting fox and have no complaints about it. In terms of prices they will go higher then what’s quoted in the web site.
I would also consider track’s colonial fowler or english fowler.

I noticed that the price jumped a bit on a kit i quoted a while back. Not sure where that jump comes from, but at least it was still within budget. Ill check out tracks fowler as well. What kit did you get from sitting fox?

 

[Jfoster]

Large drop style stock? Um.....not sure. Take a look

If you mean the pied de vache, yes, very much so.

Thats what i was referring to. It seems that Type C fusils have much more drop than Type D. At least based on tracks website.

 

[Grenadier1758]

I think i have settled on a fowler in the end. Specifically the colonial i linked prior. For a 1750s-1780s period brass would have been the most prominent fixture option correct? I plan on browning the barrel and lock, doing the maple up one grade from basic, and brass fixtures. Just wanted to check that brass would be the go to and not steel.

Yes, brass is the way to go.

 

[Jfoster]

Yes, brass is the way to go.

Thanks. I thought so.

 

[tenngun]

I noticed that the price jumped a bit on a kit i quoted a while back. Not sure where that jump comes from, but at least it was still within budget. Ill check out tracks fowler as well. What kit did you get from sitting fox?

I got the k54 smooth rifle, the brass and stock profile fits with Isaac Hines styled guns, I added a patchbox and nose cap

 

[No Deer]

I have a fusil fin in 20 ga. that I have used to take bear, deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, quail, chukar, and duck. I have never had a problem with recoil slapping my cheek, or shooting squirrels up in trees. It is my favorite gun and my go to gun. On top of all that, I have won many shooting competitions with this gun. I do not feel outgunned by a riffle out to 50 yards.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

There is also a Carolina Gun as an option...


You don't have to get it in blue, however. There are other finishes.

LD

 

[FlinterNick]

Jim Chambers makes a very nice English Officer’s fusil, its .20 guage borer and light weight makes it a very good piece for fowling. The Drop in the butt is not too low and the comb is just at the line of sight.

https://www.flintlocks.com/rifles05.htm

 

[Jfoster]

I got the k54 smooth rifle, the brass and stock profile fits with Isaac Hines styled guns, I added a patchbox and nose cap

Huh i never saw that on their site. Will have to go check it out.

 

[Jfoster]

I have a fusil fin in 20 ga. that I have used to take bear, deer, turkey, rabbit, squirrel, quail, chukar, and duck. I have never had a problem with recoil slapping my cheek, or shooting squirrels up in trees. It is my favorite gun and my go to gun. On top of all that, I have won many shooting competitions with this gun. I do not feel outgunned by a riffle out to 50 yards.

Could you link the specific one you have?

 

[Jfoster]

There is also a Carolina Gun as an option...
View attachment 5391

You don't have to get it in blue, however. There are other finishes.

LD

Is there a particular kit maker to look at for the carolina gun?

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Is there a particular kit maker to look at for the carolina gun?

sorry, try Clay Smith Guns. They have both the French and the English trade gun in kits... https://claysmithguns.com/Trade_gun_kits.htm

LD

 

[Jfoster]

sorry, try Clay Smith Guns. They have both the French and the English trade gun in kits... https://claysmithguns.com/Trade_gun_kits.htm

LD

I do enjoy the trade guns. Especially the painted ones for some reason.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

Not all French guns have the "cows foot"....this Fusil Fin has a straight comb. Some of the Fusil Fin parts recovered in the South also had a unique rear sight as well

The earlier the French gun the less the curvature of the comb. By 1755-60 the curve was at it's most. In 1720 or so the comb was nearly flat. All an evolution in style. I have built the RE Davis kit before. The stock has a lot of extra wood on it but it works up into a nice gun.