Patterned after the French trade guns originally made in France, at the Tulle arsenal, or at Saint Etienne, the French fusil-de-chasse was a light weight gun-for-the-hunt.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 20 gauge bore. Trigger reach is 14-7/8" to fit today's taller size shooter and overall weight of the gun is 7.8 pounds.

The 20 gauge octagon-to-round barrel is 42" length. The octagon portion is 12", with a transition to 16 flats, ending with double wedding bands, before turning round to the muzzle. The .615" smooth bore is bright and clean, well maintained. The barrel is finished to a smooth chocolate brown. A small brass blade front sight is mounted 3" behind the muzzle. No rear sight is fitted to the barrel and thus the gun will qualify for the 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 smoothbore gun. A single bolt passes through the rounded tang of the breech plug and engages the trigger plate below. Three small iron pins retain the barrel to the forearm. We note the front and middle pin holes were miss-drilled, and plugged holes can be seen under the pins.

Stocked in maple, finished to a medium brown with golden undertones, the stock has a few minor handling marks from field use. The sweeping architecture of the French fusil buttstock is quite comfortable to shoot, despite the unusual appearance. The wide flat buttplate is an advantage, since it reduces the recoil you will feel when firing full loads. The sweeping baluster wrist runs from the trigger to the toe of the buttplate. 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, triggerguard, sideplate, and ramrod pipes are made of iron, browned to match the barrel. The triggerguard is correctly mounted with three screws. The wooden ramrod is fitted with a brass tip and passes through two browned iron pipes and matching entry pipe with long pointed skirt. We note the tip of the skirt stands slightly proud of the wood. The iron sideplate is surface mounted to retain the two lock bolts. This sideplate is the classic French design, used on the higher quality fine fusil (fusil-fin), made at Tulle, St. Etienne, Charleville, Mauberg, and other French gun making centers.

This early trade lock by L&R is typical of those made from 1730 through 1770. Notice the flat faced plate with chamfered edge, and integral pan with no pan bridle arm. The frizzen pivots on a sturdy shouldered screw. The plain cock, undecorated frizzen, and simple frizzen spring finial all reflect the early design of this trade flint lock. The lock is browned 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" gun flints. Fast ignition is assured by the stainless steel vent liner, 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. Trigger release is smooth and light, due to the high leverage trigger geometry.

This French fusil would make a fine addition to anyone's collection or 18th century impression. The bore is bright and this fusil will be a joy to shoot at the range. 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.