Is this a French 1728 Trade Musekt or was it a military musket

[Dr. Lopez]

Hello Everyone,

I picked this up at a fleamarket and I believe it to be a 1728 French Musket made at the St Etienne factory.  It has been converted to fire with a percussion cap at some point or another.  It is highly engraved which leads me to believe that it is a trade gun and not military grade.  I included a pic of the only proofing marks I found on it.  It has an octogonal to round barrel and the length overall is just under 65".  Any idea of what it is? - Gerry

[backsplash75]

not a 1728 military musket, late 18th or early 19th c hunting gun from the looks of it.

[Mike Brooks]

French fowling gun.  1765 to 1780.

[smart dog]

Hi Gerry,
My first impression is that it is restocked gun using parts from a 1740s French fowler or higher end trade gun.  The stock styling doesn't look French and is maybe the product of some colonial or American maker.

dave

[Mike Brooks]

Or possibly stocked using old out of fashion parts.