A Question for You Idaho Boys

[Dale Lilly]

Notchy. I still call myself one of the Idaho boys. I moved there in 49, went to college there, married wife from there, and called Idaho home during 22 years of military service. Retired and moved around/travelled. After my wife died of cancer, I intended to move onto a sailboat until my expiration date. But, another lady chased me until I caught her so, I am an Okie. Still enjoying life. Dale

 

[Mowich]

I might be wrong but that backpack sure has the looks of a modified Chas Trager Trapper Nelson to my eyes. I have a stack of Trapper Nelson backpacks in my garage and if I paid $5.00 for one it better be nice!

 

[Notchy Bob]

Notchy. I still call myself one of the Idaho boys. I moved there in 49, went to college there, married wife from there, and called Idaho home during 22 years of military service. Retired and moved around/travelled. After my wife died of cancer, I intended to move onto a sailboat until my expiration date. But, another lady chased me until I caught her so, I am an Okie. Still enjoying life. Dale

Good post, Dale! From your history, I would say you qualify as an Idaho boy, even if you do live in Oklahoma now.

I've passed through Idaho a couple of times, but never had the opportunity to spend much time there. I understand the center of the universe is in Wallace, Idaho, and is marked with a plaque.

I sure would like to get back up there before my own expiration date and spend a little time in those mountains.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

 

[Dale Lilly]

Good post, Dale! From your history, I would say you qualify as an Idaho boy, even if you do live in Oklahoma now.

I've passed through Idaho a couple of times, but never had the opportunity to spend much time there. I understand the center of the universe is in Wallace, Idaho, and is marked with a plaque.

I sure would like to get back up there before my own expiration date and spend a little time in those mountains.

Best regards,

Notchy Bob

You might try a hunt [elk/deer] just North of Council, east of Fruitvale. Been a while but was my favorite area. Things have changed in the past forty years I suspect.

 

[treebone]

Marshalls Photo Colors: https://www.dickblick.com/items/mar...MIha-m3v_xhAMVYtbCBB3yzQwKEAQYASABEgK8Y_D_BwE

Takes a bit of skill to use them! But they were used on many older color photos. Hint: check the shadows for color, they were more difficult to render in color.

 

[shamm662]

I work for Cisco's Gallery. This thread has been on my mind since I first saw it. I couldn't for the life of me get to the bottom of it as it seems the initial information and names were transposed at some point. Well today I sat down and did some digging. Here is what I found.

The rifle belonged to Erwin Richard Anderson's grandfather. His name was Alexander Anderson. He was in the Civil War. He gave Erwin the rifle. I believe Erwin would have been "Cougar" Anderson. His son's name was Myron Erwin "Jack" Anderson. In 1931 Myron invented and patented the pack frame we have listed on our website. We purchased the items directly from Myron's son, Erving Anderson.

I will be updating the listings on our website with the correct names and information. I'll also include images of Erwin, Myron, and the patent drawings of his pack frame. Also, the barrel marking on the rifle reads A.W. REID

Cheers!

Have you ever heard of a late 19th-century guide or packer named Irving Roy "Cougar" Anderson? I believe he was based in the Coeur d'Alene area. If you have heard of him, what can you tell me about him?

I was browsing around on the web and ended up on the website for Cisco's Gallery. This is an art and antique dealer in Coeur d'Alene. They actually have a pretty interesting selection of antique guns and Indian artifacts, although their prices seem exorbitant, to me. Anyway, I ended up on this page:

View attachment 62756

I have no idea why they call it a "Fort Rifle," but it is a fine old plains rifle that was reportedly used by Roy "Cougar" Anderson, who described it as "The best shooting rifle he ever owned." If you go to the website (Right Here), you can check it out for yourself. You can read what they provide as a description in the image above, so I don't need to repeat it.

At first glance, this appears to be a fairly ordinary old plains rifle, but I find it remarkable for its condition. Mr. Anderson must have cherished this gun. In addition, if you look at some of the close-up photos, you see there is some nice engraving on it. This is a fine old gun! It is put together with a drum and nipple arrangement, rather than a patent breech, and it has a regular "Kentucky style" short tang and trigger plate, unlike most Hawken rifles.

It has a nicely carved beavertail cheek-piece, but I think the maple stock may have been artificially striped:

View attachment 62760

Also, it looks as if the drum may have been vented. Take a gander at this, and see what you think:

View attachment 62759

Cisco's Gallery also has a couple of other artifacts related to this man. One is an ordinary-looking old Remington cap and ball Army revolver, which was reportedly a Civil War battlefield pick-up, either by Mr. Anderson or his father:

View attachment 62761

...and the other is a canvas backpack with a wooden frame, reportedly designed and patented by Mr. Anderson's 17 year old son, who was working as his "camp boy."

View attachment 62762

In any event, I am intrigued. I like all muzzleloaders, but these old plains rifles are the ones that really get my attention. This one belonged to a man who apparently continued to use it (and a cap and ball revolver) past the time when muzzleloaders were considered obsolete. And that nickname, "Cougar Anderson"... surely there's a story associated with that! I've poked around some on the web, and even looked through a few old obituaries and census reports, but haven't really found anything.

On a sad note, these three items, which have evidently been kept together and well maintained for several generations, are now up for sale individually. We wonder what the story is on that. Hard times and financial stress? Lack of interest by the current generation of owners? In addition, the revolver must have surely had a holster, and the rifle a pouch and horn. What has happened to those? It's too bad all of these things couldn't be kept together, and maybe put on display in a local museum in the area where Mr. Anderson worked.

So, if you can share any information or additional images of "Cougar" Anderson, I would appreciate it! Those old-time hunters and packers often had tales to tell, and I love to hear them.

Much obliged,

Notchy Bob

 

[Notchy Bob]

Holy smoke! This is great! Thank you, @shamm662 for sharing what you found. That's a grand old rifle. I did a quick preliminary check on A.W. Reid and did not turn anything up, but I will continue looking.

If possible, I would be interested in the overall weight of that rifle.

You might post some photos and the information you have on the "Original Antique Rifles" subforum here, and some of our more knowledgeable members may be able to give more information regarding the maker. I would also recommend joining the American Longrifles Forum, and posting there. The ALR forum has a somewhat different "culture" than here... maybe more builders and serious collectors there than here. In any event, they might give you more information.

I'm not of an age or in a position to be buying valuable antiques. I am an antique. However, I sure do enjoy browsing around the Cisco's website. You guys have some extraordinary guns and artifacts, and the photography is peerless.

Wow... we've had some fun discussions on this thread, but after three and a half years, we're now really getting somewhere on this rifle's history.

Thanks!

Notchy Bob