New Fusil de Tulle

[Al Parsons]

Well, my ever tolerant wife and I drove down to Pennsylvania yesterday and picked up my new Fusil de Tulle. Its by Eric Kettenburg and its a beauty. Stocked in European walnut, with a 44" octagon to round Colerain barrel in 20 gauge and Eric's own hand-forged iron furniture. This baby has been in the works for some time and I am just thrilled to own this lovely piece of canadiana. Eric stained the walnut a very dark brown colour as per my request. It contrasts beautifully with the bright-polished lock and barrel. I know - pictures, pictures. Unfortunately, I don't own a digital camera but I am hopeful that Eric will feature it on his website at some point. Hurray!

This was quite a departure for Eric who specializes in New England fowlers and Lehigh Valley rifles but I think he enjoyed the challenge. Anyway, its done and I am a happy boy.

 

Congrats! Eric is arguably the best maker in the country! I would love to see a pic of his fusil! Find a friend with a digital camera--quick! :grin:

 

[Mike Brooks]

Cool! I'd love to se it, Eric does great work. :thumbsup:

 

[rsblack]

I look forward to pics from you :thumbsup:

 

[hawkeye1755]

I know - pictures, pictures. Unfortunately, I don't own a digital camera but I am hopeful that Eric will feature it on his website at some point.

What, you own a Eric Kettenburg Fusil de Tulle,drive from Ontario to Pennsylvania and didn't have a digital camera? :shocked2:
:nono:

Is it your christmas gift from your tolerant wife?
:hatsoff:

 

[Al Parsons]

Yeah, Ontario to PA and back, and no digital camera.

I drove down because Eric's place is only a day away from where I live (a "one-overnighter") and this way I can usher it through customs myself.

I am in the market for a digital camera now. And Eric may post some photos of it on his website, though the dark brown finish that I specified may look pretty close to black depending on the light.

Finally, please don't everyone hate me, but this is the second EK creation that I have brought home from PA. The first was in 2001 when I brought home one of his lehigh valley rifles. As I said, my wife of 27 years is a keeper.

 

[The Baron]

Well hello there, from just an hour up the road! I am very pleased to see someone from so close to home (I'm in Kingston) here, that also has a soft spot for flintlocks.

Sounds like you have a beautiful new flinter to enjoy. :thumbsup:

 

[Al Parsons]

Hello there, Baron. Yeah, its looks like there are a few of us from the Great White North on this board.

I am a fair weather shooter, which means I generally shut down and just gaze at my long guns from about November 1st to next April. Perhaps a few of us can get together next Spring or Summer at a convenient range.

Good to hear from you.

Al Parsons
Brighton, ON

 

[TANSTAAFL]

Well hello there, from just an hour up the road! I am very pleased to see someone from so close to home (I'm in Kingston) here, that also has a soft spot for flintlocks.

Sounds like you have a beautiful new flinter to enjoy. :thumbsup:

See, the forum is also the spot for meeting (in Canada, what is an hour up the road) your neighbors. :winking:

I say that after having driven the Alcan several times back and forth up to AK in the 60's and 70's. An hour betwixt neighbors there would have been close neighbors indeed.

 

[tg]

Many New England guns had French influence, I suspect but putting the French Fusil and EK together you may very well have the best if not one of the best replicas of this type of gun available, he is one of the few who are both great crafstmen and gun history students as well, you could not have made a better chioce in the maker..or the type of gun in my opinion, enjoy, and share some pics or twists Erics arm to do so, it is a rare treat to see a well made French gun.

 

[Ohio Rusty]

I've been to both Brighton, Kingston and all over Ontario on fishing trips for Salmon, perch and Pike. Small world !! Of all the smoothbores out there, I personally like the lines and the long graceful look of a Tulle. If I wasn't into the persona thing, I'd peobably get a Tulle someday ......
Ohio Rusty

 

[benvenuto]

congratulations!
Go Canada!

 

[Al Parsons]

OK, fellas, I'm one big step closer to posting photos of EK's little masterpiece on this board; ie. I actually went out and bought a digital camera today. Have checked out the tutorial for Photobucket and it looks simple enough. If it turns out not to be simple enough for a klutz like myself, I will be back here for some step-by-step hand holding.

Was just re-reading a post by Mike Brooks on fusils de chasse. Mike wrote: "...most all of the de chasses I've seen at events have way too much wood on them...The originals were quite slim and grace full. Slim those fore stocks and wrists down till they look racy!".

Well, Eric's looks racy! I was surprised at how light it is and its slimness. I was going to call it Alphonse but that is out now. Instead I will call it Lucie. A fitting companion to Tiffany, my Lehigh Valley rifle, which I thought was slim at the wrist until I held Lucie.

OK, bottom line: I need a sunny day to take pictures outside in order for the stock to show its true colours. In the meantime I will read up about the camera. I believe I have a functioning USB Port on my ancient PC (1999) so I should be OK uploading to the PC. If not, I will use another family member's. Will try to post sooner rather than later, everyone. Cheers.

 

[Al Parsons]

Well, it looks like I'm going to have to go to "Plan B" folks. Took some nice photos of the Fusil this morning but have no way of uploading the suckers to my PC. Seems that I need Windows 98SE (for Second Edition) and I only have Windows 98. This sucks bricks, if you'll excuse my French. So, Plan B involves finding someone who can upload on their computer and then post on this board from there. I really do hate computers, as neat as they are. Very frustrating. If anyone has any brilliant ideas, please post them. thanks.

 

[tg]

" If anyone has any brilliant ideas,'

I believe I had one many, many years ago but forgot what it was before being able to put it to use.

 

[Rebel]

Well, maybe its best that you forgot first TG. :grin:

 

[benvenuto]

updating to 98 SE is fairly useful and pain free if you can find someone who wants to give you a copy

 

[Al Parsons]

I'll try the family first and, then, failing that, perhaps a neighbour. But, long term, you're right, its probably high time to update my operating system. There are a few other things about my PC that are driving me nuts too, so a good overhaul might well be worthwhile. Stay tuned. I'm going to crack this nut one way or another.

 

[tom hargrove]

:hmm: you could--------------ship the gun to rebel and he could take pictures and post them :hmm: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[Rebel]

That'll work. :grin: And make sure it works right before you take a chance shooting it. :grin: Good thinkin' Two Bellys.