is a .52 PC for Fusil

[Kevin Bywater]

Pardon my ignorance but I could use some help from all you experts. I will be looking at a Fusil made by a local builder. The caliber is a .52. What should I look for quality wise and is the .52 correct for a late F&I war impression?

The Builder said he used a .52 caliber barrel for the project because thats what he had on hand at that time.

 

The word "fusil" covers a lot of different kinds of smoothbores and dates. If you mean a Northwest gun also know as Hudson Bay Fusil, a 52 is a wee bit too small. Most were about 58 to 60 caliber. The forefather of the Northwest gun is commonly called a Type G are about 60 caliber, usually.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

For that time period Crooner is right you'd probably be better off going with a larger bore. A good many smoothbores were larger yet on up to .80 cal. That being said, I doubt anyone will be walking around at an event with a bore gauge to measure your barrel. It the gun is made of high quality components and the caliber fits your needs go for it.

 

[Kevin Bywater]

can you please define quality as it pertains to a custom built gun. What specific things are you looking for in a good gun
what am I looking for?
How close should the wood fit the metal?
I realise that fancy does not equal quality and plane doesn't mean bad.

 

[frou frou]

To me, PC caliber size usually is a pretty wide range. Like barrel length.

Consider that in another thread, someone counted rifles ranged from 37" to 52", fowlers ranged from 38" to 76" (no idea the period).

Also, I have looked at european pistols around 1648-1699 and they ranged from 50-70 caliber.

It's not like everybody in the old days were forced to use one caliber. Technically speaking just one example that uses 52 caliber means you are PC.

Instead of considering whether you are PC, consider what you are using the firearm for and what bore size suits your purposes.

 

[tg]

It is small for the fusils of the time but probably not unheard of depending on what type of fusil you are talking about, if the bore is .52 you will shoot a .50 ball most likely, this gun will probably shoot ball very nicely. there have been balls of this size from period digs, but it is not known what type of gun they were used in, I recall some writings of the natives useing smaller bore guns but cannot recall the time period or source.


See pg. 110 of Hamiltons "Colonial Frontier Guns" therehave been sevral guns found with .52-.53 bore size, no definate dates were given but it is suggested that the sites were used during theF&I period and earlier.

 

[Many Klatch]

There is a pamphlet called Firearms on the Frontier - Guns at Fort Michilimackinac 1715 - 1781 by T.M. Hamilton. This was a French fort was at the north end of the Michigan mitten and was built in 1715 and abandoned after 1761 when the English took over Canada. It was built on sand so the archaeologists had a field day digging once they found it. They found a lot of lead balls that were not deformed and they miked everyone of the round ones and recorded how many of each. The smallest ball found were .48 caliber. Of the 448 balls found, there were 31 that were .53 caliber or smaller. The largest numbers found were .57 caliber 84 each and .56 caliber 69 each. There were only 25 .69 caliber ball found (French Infantry ball size), and no .75 caliber English Infantry.

The smaller calibers were there, they did get used, they were handy pieces that didn't eat a lot of powder and lead. If you could get close enough you could kill most animals with it. Yeah, bigger calibers were more common but your .52 is OK it's just at the low end of the bell curve.

My wife's smoothbore is a .50 barrel and shoots a .475 ball. With 35 grains of 3F at 25 yards it will go through 3 phone books.

Notice that there were no .45 caliber balls found.

Many Klatch

 

[Many Klatch]

A custom gun should look like someone cared enough to do the very best. It should have good lines, should fit you like a glove, should have a good trigger pull and be built with good materials. Metal to wood fit should be tight. I don't buy guns with carving, inlays or engraving. I buy guns to shoot, but the plain guns made by a good custom builder just feel better than a production gun, you can also pick them out on a gun rack from dozens of identical factory guns.

Many Klatch

 

[Kevin Bywater]

OK, part one of my question has been answered. It might be smallish but not unheard of. How do I evaluate a decent piece from a piece of manure. I doubt I will be able to fire it cause the owner is in city limits. Anyone have some insight on evaluation of this firearm?


I posted this before your last comment

 

Again, what are you calling a fusil? Are you talking about a civilian smoothbore fowler? Trade gun? What? That makes a big difference as to the correct answer to your original question. Just needing clarification here.
Thanks,
Cooner without the first r. Cooner not Crooner. :rotf:

 

[Kevin Bywater]

Sorry Cooner I just dont know, unfortunately I am not sure of the specifics because the owner can only identify it as a fusil. I am assuming it is a trade gun. I wont know until I can get my hands on it. He bought it twelve? years ago from a local builder who works as a consultant for a local town museum. My understanding is he also did some work with the folks at Fort Michilimac building and repairing guns. Alas that is all I know at this time. I do appreciate all the insight from you guys. Thanks. :thumbsup:

 

[Tommy Bruce]

Is there any way you can get some pics for us to look at?? I'd look for good wood to metal fit, no gaps between wood and metal. If you knew what type of barrel and lock were on it that would be a plus two. When it comes to price on a custom muzzleloader it's hard to say. Sometimes a gunmaker's name commands a premium price. Does the gun have any engraving on the metal or carving on the wood? Is it done well? Has the seller set a price yet?

 

[Kevin Bywater]

I went Friday to look at the "fusil" It is a Northwest Trade gun decorated with brass tacks. Not a bad piece of equipment for $600. Good sparks from the frizzen, pretty good fit and the lines were true. Looking for something a little earlier in time.

 

[Wes/Tex]

Sounds like a good deal if the gun is well made. As for caliber, an English Trade Gun probably wouldn't be in .52 caliber, they normally went in the .58 to .60 range. French guns ran a wider gamut than the English guns. .52 would run in the 44 or 48 balls per livre. Hamilton mentions several barrels found along with several ball sizes that would be compatable.

 

[Tommy Bruce]

It's hard to buy anything for 600.00. However the time period for the Northwest guns didn't start until later on in the 18th century. Then there were some variations between the early and later guns. Unfortunatly someone with a greater knowledge would have to explain them.