The French Trade Gun in North America, 1662-1759, by Kevin Gladysz

Author Kevin Gladysz has done yeoman’s work in bringing information on the history of Saint-Etienne guns to light in this wonderful work on French trade guns. Combining archaeology, shipping manifests, government correspondence, probate records, historical illustrations and surviving longarms, Gladysz provides undoubtedly the best book of French trade guns in New France. With more than 800 black-and-white illustrations, this is a complete guide to identifying and understanding military, naval and commercial weapons manufactured at Saint-Etienne for New France and its fur trade.

Historians and students of the fur trade will find a wealth historical information on the armsmaking trade of Saint-Etienne and the effect that it had on the North American trade. That, in itself, is a fascinating read. The more information from primary documents that is published, the more we can understand the culture and influences that created these exceptional firearms. Collectors, shooters and reenactors will benefit from the hundreds of photos and illustrations detailing the essential facets of these firearms. 

The French Trade Gun in North America: 1662–1759 includes chapters on “The History of the Saint-Etienne Manufactory,” “Saint-Etienne Firearms in New France,” “Civilian Gun Categories Available to the Natives in New France: 1700–1759,” “The Evolution of the French Fusil 1699–1760,” “Identification of Archeological French Gun Parts from Colonial Sites” and “Marks and Inscriptions Found on Saint-Etienne Firearms.” These are followed by appendices of technical specifications, a bibliography, a glossary, endnotes and an index.

 

The author’s bilingual fluency and dedicated research have created a book on French arms and armsmaking that is both detailed and understandable. This is an exceptional work on a little-known but important aspect of the North American fur trade.