Part Number: AAQ-617
Trimmed in brass, this fusil fin or "fine fusil" was more costly, and more scarce than the fusil de chasse or light gun for the chase (i.e. hunting gun). Originally made in France at the Tulle arsenal, or perhaps at Saint Etienne, this French trade gun was known as the fusil fin, a finer version of the light weight fusil-de-chasse, a gun-for-the-hunt. The stock architecture and brass trim resemble those of the heavier French military muskets, but are lighter, and more slender. This attractive used Tulle fusil fin was neatly made by Centermark, using American made parts.
The 20 gauge octagon-to-round barrel is 41-1/2" length. The octagon portion is 9-1/4", with a transition to 16 flats, ending in a wedding band, then round. The tiny Centermark touch mark, or proof mark, is centered on the top flat of the barrel, at the breech. This nice fusil has only original style marks on the outside surfaces, the strong preference of many re-enactors. The .620" bore is bright and clean, well maintained. A small brass turtle front sight is mounted 3-1/2" behind the muzzle. No rear sight is fitted to the barrel and thus the smoothbore .62 caliber gun will qualify for the N.M.L.R.A. Trade Gun Match, where you fire patched round balls at paper targets, and shot at clay birds, using the same flint smoothbore gun.
We recommend our #BALL-600-X pure lead .600" round balls. We offer the inexpensive new #LEE-600 ball mold, now in stock. Be sure to order 20 gauge wads, cards, and a few gun flints.
Stocked in curly ash, correctly oil finished, this fullstock has a dark color with stripes of nice figure, with a polished finish on the brass furniture. The dense stock has a few visible handling marks but appears to have been well maintained. 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 sweeping baluster wrist runs from the trigger to the toe of the buttplate. Note the “La Peid" style architecture of the gun. French for “cows foot" it refers not only to the profile of the stock but also to the way the buttstock swells outward and then back in before reaching the buttplate. The buttplate, lock, triggerguard, sideplate, and ramrod pipes are made of brass, polished bright with an aged patina from handling. The polished brass sideplate is surface mounted to retain the two lock bolts. This sideplate is the classic French design, used on the higher quality fine fusil (fusil-fin), made at Tulle, St. Etienne, Charleville, Mauberg, and other French gun making centers.
Trigger reach is 14" to fit a tall shooter, about 6' or taller. The gun balances well behind the rear ramrod entry pipe for easy swinging when shooting shot at moving game. Overall weight of the gun is 7.7 pounds.
Made by R. E. Davis Company, this best quality flint lock is marked TVLLE, and bears the French "Royal Device", a Crown and Fleur-de-Lis mark. The frizzen face has a few marks from sparking and firing. This lock has a sturdy mainspring, and should spark very well. Be sure to order a dozen of our best 7/8" English gun flints, #FLINT-ENG-7, by Tom Fuller. They are the perfect size for your Tulle fusil lock. Cocking the lock requires real effort, since the strong mainspring is tensioned to produce best sparks, and fast lock time. Trigger release is smooth and light, due to the high leverage trigger geometry.
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.