This nice fusil has its origins in the fur trade of the early 1700's. Type D fusils replaced the more decorative Type C fusils that were found in Canada as early as 1680. Stocked in walnut, correctly oil finished, this fullstock has an even brown walnut color, with a darker brown finish on the iron furniture. This unfired .58 caliber rifled French fusil was assembled by contemporary builder M. Compton. Weighing in at 8.7 pounds the fusil has a trigger reach of 13-1/2" making it well suited for today's average size shooter.
The .58 caliber octagon-to-round barrel is 42" in length. The bore is rifled with six deep round bottom grooves with a 1 in 66" rate of twist for a tightly patched round ball. The bore is bright and clean, unfired. The barrel is finished to a dark brown. A tall steel blade fusil front sight is soldered on the barrel. A flat top rear sight is dovetailed 8-1/2" ahead of the breech.
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 browned steel buttplate is shaped with the elaborate French comb with points and sweeping designs. The buttplate is correctly mounted with steel screws. The baluster wrist forms a smooth arc, and the butt blends into the wrist, typical of French architecture for muskets and fusils in this period before our French & Indian War, from 1756 to 1763, called the Seven Years War in Europe. French traders had great influence over Canada and the vast Louisiana territory, during this era. The wrist is fitted with a hand engraved nickel silver wrist inlay. The lock panels are framed with a raised panel with beaver tail finials. The panel continues as a raised and incised Fluer de Lys around the tang of the breech plug.
The iron triggerguard is mounted with pins. Historically, screws were much more expensive and labor intensive to manufacture. The width of the early buttplate is shown, revealing how the baluster wrist tapers from the lock panels, widest at the buttplate. The forearm is neatly shaped and the skirt of the ramrod entry pipe is framed with raised and incised carving. The wooden ramrod is fitted with a tapered ramrod tip that is threaded 8-32 for your loading and cleaning accessories. This fusil is fitted with a large steel sideplate. Two lock bolts pass through the sideplate and stock to engage the lock opposite. See Colonial Frontier Guns, by T. M. Hamilton, sold separately, for nice photos of fine original French trade guns.
The French fusil flint lock is best quality, finished to match the barrel. The frizzen face has some marks from testing. The lock has a strong mainspring and is tuned for fast ignition. Trigger release is smooth, due to the high leverage, and excellent trigger geometry. A steel vent liner is installed in the side flat of the barrel. The vent is well positioned both horizontally and vertically on the pan. 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.
If you are looking to add a French style rifle gun to your collection, then consider this piece. Nicely assembled, in unfired condition, this Type D will be a joy to shoot. 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.
