3558 FRENCH "TULLE" TRADE GUN, CIRCA 1735.

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 750.00 USD
Estimated at 1,500.00 - 2,500.00 USD
Cal. .62 caliber. NSN. 48" overall. 32" shortened barrel, pictured and described on pages 26-27, "The Fur Trade", author Milton Von Damm: " This is a French trade gun and is the common grade known as a "Fusil de Traite" for the fur trade because of its civilian caliber, .62 rather than the military caliber, .69. Because it was customary to bury a deceased warrior's gun in his grave, very few of these French Indian trade guns have survived. Also, misuse by Indians and poor quality construction resulted in lock breakage and barrel bursting problems. Most of the common grade French Fusils for New France for the trade were made at St. Etienne, although this gun was one of several made at Tulle between 17290 and 1741, as evidenced by a TULLE mark underneath the barrel. This example is in near relic condition with a cut down barrel and a British replacement lock marked only with a fox in a circle. The barrel is attached with pins and a screw from the barrel tang to the trigger plate. The furniture is all iron and the trigger guard has a chevrolet design in its bow. The sideplate is missing and was a variation of the style used in Tulle trade guns. The thick but plain buttplate is fastened with two screws. The British replacement lock may be a generic obtained at a Northwest Co. or HBC Trading Post." CONDITION: good. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of author Milton Von Damm. (01-24768/JS). ANTIQUE: $1,500-2,500.