Poor mans gun 1815-1820

[3 stinky dogs]

I am going to build a persona on a guy who is a verry broke missionary headed out to minister to the savages and lost souls in the Rocky's during the early part of that era. I am trying to find out if a North West trade gun would have been a cheap option for such a fellow. I plan on wearing some native stuff to make the savages feel comfortable with me around and to blend in with those poor lost soul's who I guess would need redemption. I am looking at the N/W trade gun kit from TOTW. It is also rated as "easy" and is in my price range considering my last purchase from them. Any correction and guidance is greatly appreciated and I wont be offended if it sounds stupid.

 

[Rebel]

Not sure how correct it would be, but i had one, and stupidly sold it, but it was a real good shooter. Wish i still had it.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Rebel,
Too bad, sooo sad! :blah:

It do shoot good.
Best Wishes

P.S. Thanks again for the GREAT gun. :thumbsup:

 

You wouldn't be the first Preacher to carry a NW trade gun. I think Hanson wrote an article for one of the Buckskinner books that had a photo of a trade gun that was owned and used by a Reverand. I have built TOTW NW guns and it's good for the money. The barrels are slick and polished inside. Better than the originals probably were. I would replace the lock with a lock by Mike Rowe IMHO. Mike makes the best NW gun lock on the market. The trade gun lock by Davis is to short and bulky for a trade gun. But, I like the barrel from TOTW better than Caywoods. If you had the time to wait, the very best trade gun barrel I ever used to make a NW gun was a barrel custom made by John Getz. I sent John the drawings from the trade gun sketchbook and John copied the barrel faithfully. I still shoot that one for myself. Just my 2 cents. :hatsoff:
Don

 

[Rebel]

Mr. Windwalker, you are welcome. If it had to go to anyone, i am glad it went to someone who appreciates it.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Something to consider. A poor man's gun in 1820 might have been a new gun in 1760 that had been around the block a few times. A Charleville or 2nd Model Bess from the Revolution would be pretty common and on the "discount" rack at a sutlers. Any flint trade gun would be a pretty good choice.

 

[Kootenai]

3 Stinky dogs, I have just had the pleasure of building 2 NW Trade Guns, one a Track kit and one from North Star West. If you are looking for authenticity go with the North Star gun. It is also going to be easier to build either from a kit or in the white. To me the Davis lock with the Track kit had a very heavy trigger pull. I did not like the beaver tailes on the lock mortise or the tang. It took quite a bit of work to get these to look like they should. The barrel on the North Star kit is more period correct.

Give Matt a call at North Star West 406-626-4081. He is a straight shooter and will give you honest answers to your questions. He knows smoothbores and he especially knows NW trade guns.

Kootenai

 

[rusty]

hey Kootenai thanks for that post I have a NSW trade gun in the white I am getting ready I was wondering how it would compare to the track kit now I know.did you brown the barrel and how did you finish it...rusty

 

[Kootenai]

Rusty, I did brown the barrel. For finish I like a darker stock on the NW gun so I also use a walnut stain for this purpose. Then I go with TruOil for the finish. Nothing real mystical, just straight forward. I do not like to leave the moulding and beaver tails with hard edges, so I sand them to get a smooth, flowing look. In Hanson's booklet on NW guns the pictures all show this rounded look. Of course this could be caused from use, etc. But anyway that is what I do. Other probably do it differently.
Kootenai

 

[rusty]

I have had my trade gun since Sept.but had my shoulder operated on so I'm just now getting to it.I am going to use leather dye on the stock,brown the barrel and trigger guard.I will either leave the lock as is or age it a bit.thanks...rusty

 

3 Stinky dogs, I have just had the pleasure of building 2 NW Trade Guns, one a Track kit and one from North Star West. If you are looking for authenticity go with the North Star gun. It is also going to be easier to build either from a kit or in the white. To me the Davis lock with the Track kit had a very heavy trigger pull. I did not like the beaver tailes on the lock mortise or the tang. It took quite a bit of work to get these to look like they should. The barrel on the North Star kit is more period correct.

Give Matt a call at North Star West 406-626-4081. He is a straight shooter and will give you honest answers to your questions. He knows smoothbores and he especially knows NW trade guns.

Kootenai

I had a broken part on my NSW trade gun and gave Matt a call. I told him what my problem was and that I had bought these parts from the previous owner. It didn't matter to Matt, he told me he would send a replacement part in the mail and back the gun as if he sold it to me himself. Now ya can't beat service and warranty like that. What a guy. :hatsoff:
Don