Patterned after the French trade guns originally made in France, at the Tulle arsenal, or at Saint Etienne, the French fusil-de-chasse was a light weight gun-for-the-hunt. The stock architecture and iron trim resemble those of the heavier French military muskets, with a slender graceful appearance. In 1716 the Governor of New France requested “600 fusils de chasse from Tulle, because they are the best. The Natives know them and will not accept any others." By 1746 Tulle was unable to meet the demand for the fusil-de-chasse in the Canadian market, and similar muskets were being produced at St. Etienne. Many trade guns of this design would have been in service for decades by the time of the American Revolution. This used Tulle fusil is assembled from American made parts and features a bright well maintained .58 caliber smooth bore (24 gauge). Trigger reach is 14" to fit today's average size shooter and overall weight of the gun is 8.5 pounds.

The 24 gauge octagon-to-round Colerain barrel is 44" length. The octagon portion is 15", with a wedding band to round. The .58 diameter bore is bright and has been well maintained. We recommend our #BALL-550-X pure lead .550" round balls for shooting patched balls and our 24 gauge cards and wads with either lead or bismuth shot. A silver front sight is soldered on the barrel 4" from the muzzle in French fashion. No rear sight is fitted to the barrel. This smooth bore 24 gauge gun will qualify for the new N.M.L.R.A. Trade Gun Match, where you fire patched round balls at paper targets, and shot at clay birds, using the same flint smooth bore gun.

Stocked in walnut, the stock has slender shaping and only has a few small handling marks. The wide flat buttplate is an advantage, since it reduces the recoil you will feel when firing full loads. Note the “La Peid" style architecture of the gun. French for “cows foot" it refers not only to the profile of the stock but also to the way the buttstock swells outward and then back in before reaching the buttplate. The buttplate, lock, triggerguard, sideplate, and ramrod pipes are made of polished iron, which has just started to develop a speckled brown patina from use. The iron triggerguard is mounted with three screws, a correct technique on a French fusil-de-chasse. Three iron ramrod pipes retain the wooden ramrod. The tapered wooden ramrod is not fitted with any tips to accept loading and cleaning accessories. We recommend our #RAMROD-C-44-10 to service this fusil. This smooth bore uses the simple flat military style sideplate common to the fusil-de-chasse, and French Marine fusils, made at Tulle, St. Etienne, Charleville, and Mauberg.

The French Tulle lock was made by R. E. Davis Company and is polished bright to match the barrel. This lock has a sturdy mainspring, and should spark very well. Be sure to order a dozen of our best 7/8" French amber gun flints, #FLINT-AMBER-7. The lock plate is marked A. TVLLE under the pan. Cocking the lock requires real effort, since the strong mainspring is tensioned to produce best sparks, and fast lock time. Trigger release is smooth and light, due to the high leverage trigger geometry. A steel vent liner is positioned well above the bottom of the pan, centered on the heat of the flash. If your flint longrifle suffers from that infamous slow whoosh-bang ignition delay, study the work of today's best gun makers, and position your vent well centered on the pan, high above the bottom, to serve as a window on the center of the flash.

This French fusil is offered in excellent used condition with a bright well maintained bore. This handy French fusil would make a fine addition to anyone's collection or 18th century impression. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.