My Fusil Arrived Today!

[kje54]

My India made Fusil de Chasse arrived today, earlier than expected. It was originally scheduled to arrive today then the delivery date was moved to the 29th, this morning got an email that it was out for delivery. Everything looks very well done, fit and finish is good and all I have to is drill the touch hole. I was amazed by how light it is considering they tend to use heavier wood for their stocks. Overall it's 60" long and takes a 7/8 x 1" flint, ordered a pack of twelve from ToTW.

Yeah, I know some frown on India made muskets and that's fine, frown all you want just do it somewhere else..........

Only have stock pictures for now but hope to get my pictures taken soon.

 

[hawg]

I heard really bad things about India muskets 15 or 20 years ago but they've apparently stepped up their game since then. That is one nice looking fusil.

 

[kje54]

I heard really bad things about India muskets 15 or 20 years ago but they've apparently stepped up their game since then.

Yeah, the early stuff had some issues but then again those issues grew and expanded by those practicing urban myth creations........ Most of the past issues were primarily fit and finish problems which are greatly improved however someone may jump in wailing about their metallurgy........ There's nothing wrong with their metallurgy, it's high grade, it's safe. Unfortunately the urban myths still abound, "one of their barrels blew up and almost killed a friend of a friend of a friend of an uncle who was the grandfather of........." You get my point.

 

[AlexanderA]

How does the lock spark? I've heard that on some of these, the frizzen needs hardening.

When you drill the touch hole, drill it in the "sunrise" position (even with the top of the pan). Don't drill it at the bottom of the pan.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

Looks great to me!
What bore?
Range report when you can sir.

 

[kje54]

How does the lock spark? I've heard that on some of these, the frizzen needs hardening.

When you drill the touch hole, drill it in the "sunrise" position (even with the top of the pan). Don't drill it at the bottom of the pan.

I used a smaller flint just to try it out and it showers sparks. As for the touch hole location thanks but this isn't my first rodeo with flitlocks, I've built a couple.

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

I'd really look the lock over pretty close. Seen some that were not all that great. Hoping yours is a good one. If it sparks good that's a huge plus, look at the fit of the tumbler and lock plate. Shouldn't be sloppy there.

 

[kje54]

I'd really look the lock over pretty close. Seen some that were not all that great. Hoping yours is a good one. If it sparks good that's a huge plus, look at the fit of the tumbler and lock plate. Shouldn't be sloppy there.

I haven't pulled the lock yet but plan to, I definitely want a look at the backside.

 

[kje54]

Looks great to me!
What bore?
Range report when you can sir.

It's a .62 caliber smoothbore so round ball or shot depending on what you're using it for at that moment. I'll probably have to get a Lyman double mold for it and pick up some pure, soft lead and a lead melting pot, probably just a stove top variety.
The range report will most likely be a while out, we'll see.

 

[kje54]

I'd really look the lock over pretty close. Seen some that were not all that great. Hoping yours is a good one. If it sparks good that's a huge plus, look at the fit of the tumbler and lock plate. Shouldn't be sloppy there.

Took a picture of the back of the lock, cleaned most of that grease off after I took the picture....... LOL

 

[AlexanderA]

The back of that lock is pretty much what I would expect to see in originals of that era. Remember that in the 18th century, gunsmiths were using tools not that much different from what we might see in India or Pakistan today.

 

[forward observer]

Congrats, I'm sure you'll be pleased.

I have 3 India-made firearms: A Dublin castle long land pattern Bess, an all-steel Scottish highland officers pistol, and a French AN IX cavalry pistol. The 2 pistols came from Military Heritage while the Bess came from Loyalist. They all spark well and I've never had a mechanical issue with any of them. I want one of Military Heritage's British long-barreled sea service pistols and one of their blunderbusses. They have the best prices of any of the importers as far as I can tell. The thing is that you can't find most of these models anywhere other than having one custom-made for at least 4 or more times the price.

The Sea Service with a belt clip on the other side



The steel barreled blunderbuss or maybe the brass barreled one.



Cheers

 

[kje54]

Here's my current collection, the new Fusil on the top.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Very nice, OP.

I have one just like it that I bought off the shelf at Dixon's shop around 10 years ago, back when he carried guns from Middlesex Village Trading Co. I have not read anything good about MVTC's customer service over the past few years, but I can say that this gun, along with a few others owned by myself and my father, have worked extremely well. The lock on my fusil sparks much better than the one on my Pedersoli Brown Bess carbine, for example. (Naturally, the Pedersoli looks nicer.)

 

[kje54]

Very nice, OP.

I have one just like it that I bought off the shelf at Dixon's shop around 10 years ago, back when he carried guns from Middlesex Village Trading Co. I have not read anything good about MVTC's customer service over the past few years, but I can say that this gun, along with a few others owned by myself and my father, have worked extremely well. The lock on my fusil sparks much better than the one on my Pedersoli Brown Bess carbine, for example. (Naturally, the Pedersoli looks nicer.)

I'm still trying to figure out if it takes Glock magazines...........

 

[Jackrabbit1957]

Sure, if you can roll them up to a .600 diameter size and use a canvas patch.

 

[kje54]

Sure, if you can roll them up to a .600 diameter size and use a canvas patch.

I prefer wool over powder card with flax tow wadding, no need to to use a patch. But you may have finally found a legitimate use for Glock magazines........

 

[Ugly Sauce]

Canvas could work. I shoot a .690" ball in my Bessie, in a denim patch. Accurate. If I "chew" them, a .023" patch works well. Canvas...hmmm....

 

[Ugly Sauce]

I prefer wool over powder card

For an over-powder wad, or over the over powder card wad, have you ever tried melting some bee's wax in a small container, and then dipping your wool wads in it? Try it, you like it. I put one waxed-wad over the powder, then a wool wad over that.

 

[hawg]

Canvas could work. I shoot a .690" ball in my Bessie, in a denim patch. Accurate. If I "chew" them, a .023" patch works well. Canvas...hmmm....

I have heard canvas works well.

 

[kje54]

For an over-powder wad, or over the over powder card wad, have you ever tried melting some bee's wax in a small container, and then dipping your wool wads in it? Try it, you like it. I put one waxed-wad over the powder, then a wool wad over that.

When I had a 12 gauge that's pretty much what I would do, what I have now is essentially a 20 gauge and my load works for me. No muss, no fuss.

 

[gobsauce]

Here's my current collection, the new Fusil on the top.

View attachment 1117464

View attachment 1117465

I hate this forum. You guys always, always find ways to separate me from my money.

 

[kje54]

I hate this forum. You guys always, always find ways to separate me from my money.

I'm on three forums, this one, a 1911 forum and a traditional muzzleloader forum........ Not to mention all the emails I get from firearm vendors........ Might as well share the agony and ecstasy.