Let's see some North West trade guns!

[Skychief]

If you have any pics of your North West Trade guns, please post them here. Hunting pictures considered a bonus.

A brief description and likes/dislikes would be great too.


Thanks in advance, Skychief.

 

[Skychief]

If you run roundballs through them, let us know about the accuracy your gun gives!

 

[Skychief]

Nobody has a Trade Gun picture? :slap: :idunno:

 

[akapennypincher]

Give it time or visit NorthStar West's, and Caywood's Web-site as they both make North West Trade Guns.

 

[Mike Brooks]

I have only built one and that was 25 years ago. :idunno: Everybody used to shoot them at Friendship 25 years ago, but you don't see them that often in the midwest anymore.

 

[Snow on the Roof]

I have only built one and that was 25 years ago. :idunno: Everybody used to shoot them at Friendship 25 years ago, but you don't see them that often in the midwest anymore.

I wonder why that is?

Snow

 

[Mike Brooks]

I have only built one and that was 25 years ago. :idunno: Everybody used to shoot them at Friendship 25 years ago, but you don't see them that often in the midwest anymore.

I wonder why that is?

Snow

I suspect folks buy guns that were used "back in the day" in their own area now more than they did 25 years ago. 25 years ago Curly's NW gun was the only thing that was available in a smoothbore.

 

[tg]

This is one from NSW parts in .62 probably representing circa 1820-35 I do not recall for sureI bought 2nd hand and redid it, bedded the barrel to keep pine cones out of the space under the barrel, and fixed it uop in general from a heavy handed attempt at building it, it was a great shooting gun, very comfortable and accurate, I took a few Deer with it about te years ago, I only sold it due to another gun caught my eye and I sold several to fund that build it was the 2nd NSW gun I have had the other was a "Chiefs" gun in .58 and it was a great gun also and alos sold to buy parts for the other gun which was also .58 bore size. I aded some brass tacks the last year I used it.

 

[matt denison]

Funny. I've sent several to IL. IA, IN., KS. in the past couple years. Guys in the midwest are usig them for bird hunting.

 

[Mike Brooks]

Well, that's good. I just haven't seen them around here like I used to. Of course these days it's a miracle to see anything except an inline around here!

 

[Grizzled Roberts]

A fellow brought an original trade gun to Friendship a couple of years ago. It was found in the walls when they tore down a house. It had a 36 inch barrel just like my Curley gun 30 years ago. However it was much lighter than our modern reproductions. 20 gauge, fox on the lock and dated around 1830. It was looked like it had been in a wall 100 years or so. Had I owned it I would have the barrel checked out and it would be at the range the next day!

 

[tg]

". Of course these days it's a miracle to see anything except an &*-lin# around here!"

What does one of those guns cost around there these days Mike?..... I know we cannot post any gun prices here so just direct me to a link which will give a price if possible. I do not want to offend anyones sensibilites who had issues with gun prices being posted on another thread, of course the problem then was not prices but whos' guns we were talking about Eh William?

 

[justtim]

I'm still shooting one Mike. I think there are a couple of us still shooting them down at Friendship. Most guys quit them due to getting their cheekbones beat up. I think they or the builder just followed Hanson's patterns as is. When I built mine I built it to fit me,and no problems. For any new guys out there who build their own or want to, you can't beat the NW gun. Get Hanson's book, photocopy the patterns, cut out and glue to your brass or steel and cut it out and form it. If you can come up with suitable wood and a barrel and lock you can make the rest yourself.

 

[Snow on the Roof]

"Most guys quit them due to getting their cheekbones beat up. I think they or the builder just followed Hanson's patterns as is. When I built mine I built it to fit me,and no problems. For any new guys out there who build their own or want to, you can't beat the NW gun. .[/quote]"


I've heard this before. Is it the sharp, sqaure cheek? The Height of comb? Or perhaps the American tendency to draw in tight and low to the stock as opposed to the English gunning style with the head held high? I know when I shoot a gun with a LOP under 14" and a high cheek piece I have a tendency choke down too low and get a bruised up face. Then again I am taller than normal and have long arms.


Snow
Snow

 

[justtim]

The originals were so damned straight. Hardly any drop. My guess is they done that to save wood. After all, they were meant to be a very cheap gun.

 

[wahkahchimaol.com]

I was told by some builders and historians that stock straightness was to avoid breakage along the grain. Apparently the club butts and the fusils are prone to break at the wrist. Is this true?

 

[justtim]

Could be but I could not say with any authority. Whatever the reason, a true NW gun will wear you out unless you are just lucky enough to have had God make you to fit IT.

 

[matt denison]

I have the exact opposite problem. I can't shoot the droopy stocked guns with lots of drop at the comb. However I can shoot the NW guns with a straight comb. I think it has to do with where your cheek bone is in relation to your eyeballs, how you weld your cheek to the stock. I can shoot my NW gun all day long with no problems. LOP is 13 1/2".

 

[TinStar]

Zonie sent me a very interesting formula for measuring your drop and LOP. According to the measurements I took of myself; I can handle a 4 1/2 in. drop. Tall,long arms, and a "geeky" neck.

TinStar
Soli Deo Gloria!

 

[Keb]

I've got one of Curly's but no pics of it. I had this one but sold it.

Another one: