Rich,
I am inclined to agree with your speculation regarding that fusil. I did a lot of research for my French double gun project (not dead just on the back burner while I get some furniture made for the house in PA). The butt plate does not seem to me to be typical - probably a hand forged replacement. Likewise with regards to the cock - probably a period effort to doll-up the gun, nor is the cock screw original but might be a period replacement. The lock plate shape looks French to me and I remember seeing plenty of low-end locks with flat unfiled surfaces. As I recollect those that were filed generally had a single step down behind the cock, not the multiple vertical grooves typical of Germanic guns. The shape of the butt stock also suggests a restocking job to me. As you observed the comb is taken down to a much finer point than what I recollect seeing on the originals and the wrist usually extends further aft on the originals. Also, as I recollect the pied de vache butt stock shape was usually a tad thicker forward of the butt plate and the stock actually narrowed down a little to mate with the butt plate. Finally, walnut was virtually a universal choice for gun stocks by the 18th century in France. Fruit-wood (cherry) was used but most of the examples of fruitwood stocks that I found were wheel-lock guns and high-end civilian pistols.
Looks like a fun project. Good luck with it.
Best Regards,
JMC
John Cholin
