Interested in a smooth bore......

[John Wasmuth]

A recent post peaked my interest in obtaining a smooth bore, large diameter lead chunker. I have always thought the flintlock trade guns were really interesting. I have some building skills, built a couple of long rifles but do not have the time it takes to build one from scratch.
Is the Track of the Wolf kit a good one to go with in a 12 ga? They look simple enough. How historically correct are they to say 1830's, 2nd seminole war period? Or would a Bess be more suited?

 

[Le Grand]

Have you looked at the kits from North Star West? They sure get a lot of applause.

 

[Mike Brooks]

How historically correct are they to say 1830's, 2nd seminole war period? Or would a Bess be more suited?

Far more correct than a bess and quite common for NDN's

 

[Tommy Bruce]

That would be a good choice for your time period. A smaller bore such as a 20 or 24 would be more correct. If you've built other rifles this kit should pose no problem to you.

 

[BV]

I don't think Track offers the trade gun in anything larger that 20 bore. In any event, they have not had all of the kit parts in stock for probably close to a year. I went with Northstar West for mine because of that. Their NW gun might be a little later than what you're interested in, but they offer quality parts that go together like they're supposed to, and they are great to deal with. I think you could get a 16 bore, as long as a 37" barrel is to your liking.

 

[tg]

I think NSW has some different choices of sideplates which goes a long way toward dating these guns

 

[dhobbs]

Micanopy,
The "Chief's Grade Gun" is very simular to an original 1812 trade gun displayed at Horseshoe Bend National Military Park. That gun has the 41 inch barrel. I have owned one of Northstars Early English trade guns. They are good shooters and I also killed deer & turkey with it. You will also like the light weight of this gun compared to a Brown Bess. :grin:I am currently carrying an English Carolina Gun made by the late Dave Wagner. At 5 1/2 pounds it is a joy to carry!

Good luck in your decision
David

 

[John Wasmuth]

Can you gimme a hint as to what side plate would be correct for 1835 give or take a year or so?
And, I know, I'm a pain in the back side, is there a difference in what would have been in the southeastern U.S, Creek, Seminole, Mikasuki folks. I had a hand me down rifle in .41 from those days that was given to me whan I was 6 years old, was used in the 2nd seminole war, or so was claimed by family members, it started out as a flinter, was converted to percusion, stock and barrel were chopped. But it shot good and was a meat getter.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Is this a .20 ga?

 

[tg]

"Can you gimme a hint as to what side plate would be correct for 1835 give or take a year or so'

I would contact NSW I have a book that gives some time periods but do not seem to be able to locate it at the time, it is probably on someone elses bookshelh right now...gotta get better about that.

 

[John Wasmuth]

Thanks TG, I know what ya means. I will have to get some hides sold in order to do this, but it is gona get done. Like to do it the best we can do but like everyone else, I is on a budget. :thumbsup:

 

[Hawken12]

she be a 410 gua,I'm thinkin

 

[John Wasmuth]

Killed many a deer, turkey and gator with a .41 rifle so I am somewhat familiar with that. Hows a smoothie shoot vs a rifle out at 50 yards or so?

 

[dhobbs]

I will be at Horseshoe Bend in March for a program and I can get you details then or I could call the Park director........just off my memory the barrel's external dimensions were close to one of my 20 ga guns. The sideplate on the Northstar Chiefs gun is very close to that on the gun in the collection. As to accuracy, my experience has been close to rifle like 0-25yds......at 50 yards it does open up a bit.....I did manage in one match to shoot an off hand 5 shot group the size of my closed fist..approx 4 inches. Would not be afraid to shoot a deer at that range....in fact the first one I killed(with a smoothbore) was around 55yds.....but that is the limit for me...I REALLY perfer they be 30 yards or less!

Horseshoe Bend(located close to Dadeville,AL) is the location of a major battle between the Upper Creeks and Jackson's troops. Most of my reenacting is foucused on Creek involvment in 7 years war & Rev. War.......This is the only 1812 event that I attend....just to depressing for me......not that the events were not already in motion for the removal but.....this battle set the stage for relocation of the majority of Creeks to Oklahoma.

David

 

[poordevil]

On the one ordered now, and the one to be ordered, I am having the early side plate.

Someone shared a site called "Guns THAT WON THE WEST" I think, and show many different guns. NWTGs of later date with early style side plates.

P