Fur Trade Gun - Marked 1866

jpc

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A new addition to my collection.
This is my first with a 'Screwed Buttplate'
All pieces are maker marked--well used, but nothing appears to have been replace :), with exception of a couple of screws and pins

take care

jpc
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Thanks mooncoon


I got it from the original family and waiting for some written history . It sounds exciting and looking forward to doing some research.

take care

jpc
 
Great find! Pretty sure that it is 1886. I don't think that the Enfield lock type guns were made that early. I'll check my copy of Jim Gooding's book. All trade guns are rare. Gooding estimates 1% survival rate for 19th century guns, 1/10 of 1% for earlier.
Managed to get 2 HBC guns this year. An 1856 Barnett 30" gun converted to percussion, and a 26 bore percussion double, 33" barrels, "THE IMPERIAL EXTRA SPECIAL". Probably dates from the late 1890s to perhaps as late as WW1.
In the early 1970s another chap and I manufactured repro flintlock NW guns. Have one that I put together for myself years later. All the metal parts are from our production, except for the barrel which is a North Star. Still have two locks, one assembled using a plate from The Upper Missouri Trading Company, and a serpent or two. They used the same lock from the Museum of the Fur Trade that we borrowed. We blanked the lettering in our mould, stamped the plates Barnett, with circle fox. UMTC left the original stamp, sitting fox with IA for Jacob Astor. The lock was an unused replacement lock. I've got the parts to make a repro Enfield lock percussion. Just have to get off my butt and do it.
 
Here is a better shot of the lockplate.

I think I see the 'Fox' stamp on there in front of the maker's name--hopefully :)

take care

jpc



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I was wrong - guns with Enfield P'53 pattern locks were introduced in 1861, ten guns being sent to Moose Factory and 10 to York Factory. The 1866 date is quite correct. The "tombstone fox" mark is there between the name and hammer.
 
There may be a circle fox HHBC mark stamped on the right side of the butt, a couple of inches from the butt plate. I've only ever handled one HBC gun where it could be easily read. Often there is only a circular shadow.
How long is the barrel? Usually 2 1/2, 3, or 3 1/2 feet.
 
here are photos of the circle fox in new condition and also the tombstone fox on the lock. I tossed in a NW co circle fox for comparison. I have another trade gun with the fox on the butt but all that remains is a round indendation in the correct location.

cheers mooncoon





 
There may be a circle fox HHBC mark stamped on the right side of the butt, a couple of inches from the butt plate. I've only ever handled one HBC gun where it could be easily read. Often there is only a circular shadow.
How long is the barrel? Usually 2 1/2, 3, or 3 1/2 feet.


Barrel is 2 1/2' and no sign of stamping in the stock :(
 
here are photos of the circle fox in new condition and also the tombstone fox on the lock. I tossed in a NW co circle fox for comparison. I have another trade gun with the fox on the butt but all that remains is a round indendation in the correct location.

cheers mooncoon






Great pictures and thanks again mooncoon

jpc
 
It is really adds to the gun if its history can be traced.
One Indian gun that I have is a NW gun made by Moxham, with Board of Ordnance private proofs, Gov't property mark on the lock, and I/l\D branded into the stock in three places. One of the guns supplied to HM's Indian Allies. Came out of Brant County, so I assume that it was supplied to the Mohawks there. It would be great to know more than that.
 
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