Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Fusils

Gentlemen, Just curious, what makes a fusil vs a muzzleloader? Have seen the term in many books about the old West but never really understood exactly why they are called fusils? thanks,

To me, these days, it has come to mean a light Smoothbore firearm. Generally of the flint persuasion. But not necessarily.

There are other such guns. Like "smooth" rifles, and such. But they are a different critter. IMHO

I'm sure others have different interpretations. But this is mine

I bet the guns in the old west books they refer to are probablyeither the old Northwest style trade gun or just a plain Smoothbore military musket. You will also see the term "elegant fusil". Like what might be called a Chiefs grade trade fusil. It's a rather archaic term for these days.

Here's my British Light infantry fusil. Built from a North Star West kit several years back. This one I carried on the set of "The Patriot".