The Tulle Fusil

The vast majority of firearms found in North America in the 18th century, prior to the Revolutionary War were produced by two major military powers of the time. The British "Brown Bess", in its many forms, was the workhorse of the English military. In accordance with military tactics of the time, the "Bess" was designed to withstand severe use and abuse by men and nature. It was sturdy enough to be used as a club if the need arose. The huge .75 caliber, approximately ten-pound smoothbore musket was designed to inflict as much damage to an enemy as possible. Skilled troops could load and fire as many as four shots per minute. Numerous natives and civilians acquired these weapons as gifts or as plunder from the British.

However, the French smoothbore long arms of the period were most in demand by warriors, rangers and civilians. Two basic French styles dominated the North American continent. The military muskets of .66 caliber to .72 caliber and the .62 caliber civilian-hunting arm known as the "fusil de chasse". Most historians and collectors use the term "fusil" when referring to the lighter weight hunting gun. There were variations of both. The French muskets were well made as were the "Brown Besses", but the fusils main advantage over the "Bess" was its' lighter weight, good balance and it was a smaller caliber which required less powder and a lighter ball. Most of the hunting guns were made under contract by an independent contractor from Tulle and became known as Tulle Fusils. The typical Tulle hunting gun was produced from 1730 through 1755. It had a graceful walnut full stock with a Roman nose butt and no patchbox. Its overall length was about sixty inches, had iron furniture and lock, shot a .62 caliber ball and weighed only about six and three quarter pounds. It also carried a wooden ramrod or "wiping stick".

In this painting, a young Delaware warrior is showing his recently obtained Tulle Fusil to his friend. It may not remain his for long. Generosity towards friends, family and even strangers was considered to be an especially admirable personal trait among all of the eastern woodland Indians. If the recipient of a gift was poor, old or sick, little or nothing was expected in return. However, in the words of the Reverend John Heckwelder, who lived among the Delaware Indians for fifteen years of his life, "when they make presents, it is done with a view to receive an equivalent in return, and the receiver is given to understand what that ought to be. In making presents to strangers, they are content with some trifle in token of remembrance; but when they give anything to a trader, they at least expect double the value in return, saying that he can afford to do it, since he has cheated them so often".

The highly detailed painting entitled "The Tulle Fusil" has been reproduced as a very limited edition, archival quality, giclee canvas print of only ten individually signed and numbered reproductions.

The giclee process, especially in small quantities, is an extremely costly endeavor, however, it allows the collector to obtain a superior quality, lasting work of art which can be displayed without the need of protective matting or glass.