I also post here for the benefit of those who don't follow the other related thread.
To Ike Godsey,
The musket you asked about is an interpretation of the Tulle military musket, contracts of 1729 and 1734. It was produced in the late 1960's or the early 1970's by a Spanish compagny by the name of Mendi. I own another of these, but mine bears the name "Mendi" underneath the barrel.
These were originally developped for the Canadian Parks Service (now Parks Canada) in order to equip the Fortress of Louisbourg (Nova Scotia) reconstruction's interpreters and displays, and other sites of Parks Canada in Quebec: Artillery Park at Quebec City and Fort Chambly. I think the research was done by Parks' staff, probably with the help of French arms and navy historian, Jean Boudriot.
Mendi's military Tulles are well made and reliable weapons. If one considers that at that time the research could only be done from archives documents and scarce Tulle hunting longarms, this is fairly good interpretation.
On the authenticity aspect, only a few noticeable drawbacks:
"Navy" markings are interpretations as well as the fleur de lys, not documented marks.
The bayonet's shank is a bit too thick.
The bump of the hammer body should not be there.
The rear end of the lock plate has strange concave curve on the lower edge.
The bayonet's shank is a bit too thick.
Aside the muskets supplied to Parks Canada, Mendis offered some for sale in Europe. In North America, the gun dealer and maker who imported the reproduction Tulle for Parks offered some very small numbers for private sales. It makes the Mendi' military Tulle very scarce repro on the market.
Finally, on last work about the Louisbourg military muskets. Those familiar with the Fortress already know that some other muskets used there for historical interpretation were developped by Kit Ravenshear, using archaeological remains as references for some parts. It thinks the Rifle Shoppe military Tulles (1729/34) reflect the work of Mr. Ravenshear and are by many details different from those by Mendi.
