The $ 102 thousand rifle [ description now changed to" trade gun" ]

[alex e.]

I'll be the heretic here.
I think its a restock of some sort. Buttstock has good architecture.

The rear of the triggerguard is more or less straight  rather than having a curved finial similar to the front.

From what I see on lthe lock carving, it doesn't strike me as from tulle.  Alot of the tulle guns I see have less curve on the forward end of the lock panel carving.

Two screws in the bottom of the buttplate is not a typical tulle feature  also. Its common on fdc guns from st Etienne. I'd like to see the finial on the buttplate also. There are distinct differences on buttplates  made at tull and SE.

The lock looks very representative of the ones from tulle.

Three forward  ramrod pipes is not a typical feature of tulle  fdc's.

No mention of  any markings on the barrel.  Whether on top or underneath,it would have been marked. No mention of caliber, length of the octagon section,or the type of transition to round. once again, there are differences
The front sight is in the right location  for a French barrel . Typically  you see them about four inches from the muzzle  , placed over the forward pipe. Which was done also.

Without the gun in hand,  or more detailed pictures of the buttplate or barrel markings. Its still hard to say.
Myself,I'd wager a period colonial French restock.
Thats what I gather from these photos.

[B.Barker]

I thought I read in one of the books that these style of trade guns were handed out to the militia in Canada. Not sure what book it was and my memory may not be right. If it was a militia firearm that could account for the initials and date. I've seen old horns attributed to native ownership with names and dates. I've heard say that the native traded for or had a captive do the work. Not sure I buy that either.

[WadePatton]

I noticed this morning that the Blog post description now reads "$102,000.00 Fusil de Chasse"

and the full description, as we have found in this thread, is also added to the photo set.

[alex e.]

Typically,  FCC were for issue to militia and native allies. They were offered  for trade also. In the 1750s at fort Niagara, one could be had for 8 beaver skins. There are other references  in the Gladysz book

The fdc in today's terms was more of a "sporterized " military arm.  Its hardware is more in line with military arms of the period, rather than hardware seen on French civilian arms of the period brought over for trade.