Author Topic: For those interested in french guns  (Read 1394 times)

Offline JH Ehlers

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For those interested in french guns
« on: December 08, 2023, 06:25:11 PM »
Because I am always looking for photos, thought I would share this for others interested. Some nice pictures of different angles.
https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1033431

Offline RichG

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #1 on: December 08, 2023, 07:20:20 PM »
Ever come across any photos of a Fusil Fin? Haven't been able to find any. Neat gun by the way.

Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2023, 08:19:07 PM »
I love the "AVISORY" at the beginning. ::) Appears to be an early contract fusil de chasse.
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Offline Bob Gerard

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #3 on: December 08, 2023, 08:31:12 PM »
That’ Fusil de Chasse looks remarkable!

Offline alex e.

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2023, 12:32:44 AM »
Nice piece, but..
The buttplateand side plate are more military looking than seen on a fdc.its not carved as seen on intact guns the one photo shows what looks like remains of a forestock  molding. Not on a fdc.
St. Etienne  only started  producing Fdc's after tulle could not fulfill the contracts,  mid 1740s
A fusil ordinaire, maybe.
I'd bet money  more of a period restock.
Also unless I missed something, caliber would dictate  a few things also..
That all being  said,I'm forwarding it to Kevin as hes probably seen every French gun in Canada.
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Offline Clark Badgett

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2023, 01:00:42 AM »
I’m with Alex. Buttplate looks like a musket type, the lock and side plate look martial as well. Too bad the didn’t show the TG.
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #6 on: December 09, 2023, 01:59:00 AM »
Possibly a fusil de ordinair?  Beats me. The buttstock doesn't look quite right, sort of long in the pull.
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Bob Gerard

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #7 on: December 09, 2023, 02:10:20 AM »
Interesting that the stock is listed as Black Cherry.

Offline Daryl

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #8 on: December 09, 2023, 02:26:35 AM »
The slight hump and notch in the breech & tang looks interesting as well.
Daryl

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Offline alex e.

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #9 on: December 09, 2023, 03:05:25 AM »
Interesting that the stock is listed as Black Cherry.
Historically,  I don't think black cherry grew in Europe.
Am I wrong?
The  French  were sending ships back to France  fron the southern  ports using cherry wood as ballast.
I'm wagering a colonial restock.
It wouldn't  be the first museum  gun misidentified.
I was attempting Concord museum  in  Massachusetts  last summer , and there were two or three very nice fowling pieces labeled as French . Which they weren't. Just some nice New England pieces with maybe a French part or two.

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Offline alex e.

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #10 on: December 09, 2023, 06:54:22 PM »
Looking  some more at the front end of this piece
Unless that front sight is a bayonet lug. Its location is incorrect for a French fusil,or the barrel has been cut back.
In the French  style of the period  on a fdc the front sight is approximately  4 inches from the muzzle. With the forward  pipe pretty much mounted  beneath  the sight. This one sets way back.
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Offline Clark Badgett

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #11 on: December 09, 2023, 08:29:45 PM »
Looking  some more at the front end of this piece
Unless that front sight is a bayonet lug. Its location is incorrect for a French fusil,or the barrel has been cut back.
In the French  style of the period  on a fdc the front sight is approximately  4 inches from the muzzle. With the forward  pipe pretty much mounted  beneath  the sight. This one sets way back.
I think at this point we should probably consider this a restock of assorted French parts done in Canada or NE.
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Offline Mike Brooks

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #12 on: December 10, 2023, 02:10:14 AM »
Looking  some more at the front end of this piece
Unless that front sight is a bayonet lug. Its location is incorrect for a French fusil,or the barrel has been cut back.
In the French  style of the period  on a fdc the front sight is approximately  4 inches from the muzzle. With the forward  pipe pretty much mounted  beneath  the sight. This one sets way back.
Cut back. I think the pipes have been moved too
NEW WEBSITE! www.mikebrooksflintlocks.com
Say, any of you boys smithies? Or, if not smithies per se, were you otherwise trained in the metallurgic arts before straitened circumstances forced you into a life of aimless wanderin'?

Offline Bob Gerard

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #13 on: December 10, 2023, 05:15:46 AM »
It just looks to me like that stock is in amazing condition for a gun of it's age, unless it's been kept in a museum. The only wood shrinkage I can see is on the bottom rear of the lockplate mortise and at the butt plate return. Which raises a question of when may it have been re-stocked.
« Last Edit: December 10, 2023, 05:21:10 AM by Bob Gerard »

Offline alex e.

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #14 on: December 10, 2023, 06:31:42 AM »
I'd wager it's had some restoration work done to it.
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Offline alacran

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Re: For those interested in french guns
« Reply #15 on: December 10, 2023, 04:50:31 PM »
The Spanish made a good deal of their Escopetas with European Cherry. In fact, it was according to Espinar, the preferred wood. It is a little harder than American Black Cherry, but the color and grain is very close. With age due to the photoreactive qualities of the wood, they would be indistinguishable.
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