Of the "commercial" ones, I think Clay Smith and Danny Caywood make the most authentic replicas. Both of these fellows are custom or semi-custom builders, but their trade guns are built to specific patterns with proprietary parts sets. There are other custom builders, such as Alex Afremenko or Ken Gahagan, who have built superb trade guns, but theirs are full custom jobs, and as far as I know each one is unique. TVM used to offer a Northwest gun and I think they still offer a version of a French TVLLE musket. I can't comment about their Northwest gun. Their standard "fusil de chase" is not strictly authentic but it is close enough for most folks.
There are also custom builders who have not done their research. I've seen photos of Northwest guns with Siler locks, for example. It pays to do some research on your own, if authenticity is your objective.
I have no personal experience with the India-made trade guns, but I've not been favorably impressed with the ones I've seen. They look a little "cartoonish" to me.
Several of the guys on this forum have Pedersoli trade guns and most seem to like them very much as shooters. However, the Pedersoli trade musket is not a copy of any gun from history. It differs from the old Northwest guns and Carolina guns in a number of particulars. As an analogy, this Pedersoli trade musket is to the original English trade guns and Northwest guns as the Lyman/Investarms Great Plains Rifle is to the original Hawken. Close enough for some folks, but not for others.
If you aren't too particular about authenticity, the Pedersoli may be a good choice, based on comments and reviews on this forum. You might also call TVM and find out what they might have to offer that isn't on their website. If you want a big step up in authenticity, I would (and did) go with Caywood. If you want to go all out for authenticity and function and get a full custom job, you'll want to do some research and present a list of specific features you want to the builder.
Just for the record, I have a 20 gauge North Star West Northwest gun. The funny thing is that I discussed features I wanted based on an original I liked, and they did a splendid job replicating it. It was only later that I found I had asked them to copy a Belgian "counterfeit" of a Barnett trade musket, so the joke is on me! I love the gun, though. It looks great and is a terrific shooter. It was a sad day when North Star West closed its doors. I also have a 24 gauge Caywood Northwest gun, which is both authentic and reliable. These two Northwest guns are "keepers," for life. I once had a TVLLE musket from TVM, but sold it.
Good luck in your quest!
Notchy Bob
