Ahhhhh ok thank you
So more or less old trade guns were not shotguns but they were smoothbores.
I always figured they were shotguns. Figured sell the natives a cheap shotgun for furs was the plan
Well I learned something today
Fine Fowling guns, single and double barrels have been made since seventeenth century. choking were not yet invented.
Most guns made for the trade were inexpensively made but were made to patterns and had to past the same proofing. And some very fine ‘chiefs’ guns were also used in trade. Between 1791 and 1821 the US contracted with rifle makers to make rifles for the fur trade, and these were largely the same quality as civilian guns.
Men who could afford a fine Fowling gun also might have a stag gun or heavier, so fowlers were made with a emphasis on light.
Run of the mill smoothbores that might be called on to shoot shot one day and ball the next would be heavier.
Muskets were made specifically for military.
Civilians often had a gun of ‘musket caliber’ but some what lighter
Shot gun is more of a nineteenth century word, by that time inexpensive civilian double barrels were being made. Sold by the barrel full to westerners and cheaper then a rifle. And most used just for shot.
With the coming of breachloading a choke became common.
Small game and Fowling, especially water fowl became a recreation hunting, and the longer reach was much dot after.
Should you be able to go to a trading post,that servers both whites and Indians and those that served mostly Indians would offer ball and shot in many sizes from small snipe and grouse shot up to beaver and swan shot.
