Trade Musket?

Anvil

Anvil

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
15   0   0
Location
SK
A friend showed me a percussion musket that he has had for a while. I'm assuming theat it is a trade musket that was destined for Africa but woulnd up in Canada. The lock is marked "I. Hollis & Sons" a well known maker of trade musket and commericial guns. There is also a mark " Makers to Her Majesty War Department" in circular pattern. The barrel is about 34 inches long and roughly .58 calibre.
Can anyone add any information.

gun007.jpg

gun004.jpg

gun009.jpg

gun008.jpg
 
No, its a Northwest gun, made for the fur trade in Canada. Very late pattern, last quarter of 19th century. Usually these would have Hudson's Bay Company marks, on the lock and on the breech of the barrel, this one has Hollis' commercial mark on the lock. Have a look on the barrel for a little "tombstone" shaped mark, near the proof marks. Appears to be in better than average condition. These are seriously collectable.
 
The gun is in decent condition. I only had a chance to give it a cursory look and sanp some pictures. The story that goes with it is that is was found in a field in NE Sask sometime before WWI and been in the family ever since.

Tiriaq - any suggested reading on the subject?
 
It looks in much to good condition to have been left in a field for more than a day or two. There is a book called the Northwest Gun by Hanson (or Hansen) that gives the history of same. Title I am sure of, author I think is correct. Check out abebooks.com they should have several copies listed.

cheers mooncoon
 
Looks very similar to the one I traded a few years ago, only mine was originally a flintlock (no evidence of a nipple on mine) .... Are there any markings/cartouches on the stock ? And can you snap a pic of the buttplate by any chance ?
 
The stock doesn't appear to have any marking, however I didn't have a chance to go over it in detail. I suspect that the stock has been refinished at some point.
Anyway - a few more photos. When I get it back, I will have a chance to be more thorough.
I am constantly amazed at the stuff that turns up around here.
gun011.jpg

gun012.jpg

gun013.jpg
 
Looking at the details of the apron moulding around the tang, and the finials on the lock panel, I'm not sure the stock is refinished. Original would have been a plain varnish.
This is a very late percussion version. I would guess at least the 1880s. Get a photo of the muzzle end of the stock, 34" is not a standard length, 36" would be more likely. This gun was made and traded after the HBC was selling breechloading guns.
These late percussion guns used Enfield rifled musket styled parts; no doubt left over parts were being used up. The hammer looks like one from a Snider breechloader. If the nose is counterbored for a percussion nipple, I suppose it might be original to the gun. Otherwise it could be a replacement.
 
Here is the one that Rob traded to me. The lock is a replacement and I do occasionally shoot the gun. The barrel dates it to 1800 - 1820. This one does not have a circle or tombstone fox but there is a round indentation on the right side of the butt which I am guessing was once a circle fox. The pattern at the butt plate was done in recent times before Rob received the gun.

cheers mooncoon

Tradegunprofileb.jpg


Lockoutsideb.jpg
 
That trade gun on the Muzzleloading forum, Is horribly overpriced for a modern made replica in my opinion 1100 $$ ....lord.... :eek:

When you can get a brand new one for 4-6 hundred bucks! And you dont have to worry if the previous owner buggered the bore and lock;)


Anyhow, this ORIGIONAL trade gun you have there is very nice in my opinion!
I think you just may really have something special!

I would be interested to see the condition of the bore and interior of all the metal parts.

Great arm there , one I bet that has quite the story to tell!!


Cheers
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom