BigSkyRambler said:
CoyoteJoe said:
"Before 1820" would be really early for the Rocky Mountain fur trade, I seem to recall Bridger's first trip west was 1822 and the first rendezvous was 1825. Certainly someone could have taken a Yeager to rendezvous, not probable but possible.
When I first read an author proclaiming the Hawken rifle as a great innovation I thought "but what about the Yeager?" It seems to me the Yeager would be a better choice than the Hawken which was needlessly long and heavy. The great majority of rifles at an original rendezvous were Pennsylvania longrifles but I've never felt obliged to follow the majority. :haha:
I have gotten interested in the period following Lewis and Clark up to the early 20s. I like using guns that not everyone else is carrying, which is why I like the Jaeger and Mortimer option.
Both would be "possible" but very unlikely for the typical trapper. Both would likely be larger bore than was economically desirable and I think I mentioned the rifling twist problem. Often 1 turn in the barrel length.
The good grade British guns tended to be expensive I should also add.
If you really want something different see the Tatham indian trade rifles in Dewitt Baily's "British Military Flintlock Rifles". But these never made it out of England.
They are similar to this, my 16 bore (one ounce ball) English style rifle. If fits into the 1800-1820 period nicely.
But it uses too much lead for a trapper to use in 1820 and a lot of powder as well to get 1600 fps.
If it were available and I were going west during the Western Fir Trade era I would want a long tang/long trigger bar Hawken in 54 caliber, probably in flintlock.Its far more durable and will kill just about as well on 1/2 the lead.
There was a valid reason for the Hawkens having re-enforced wrists.
Nor will it recoil like this.
Remember the British considered the 54 to be marginal for game the size of deer. The Americans used them and even smaller bore sizes on everything.
Ruxton used a 24 bore (58 cal) and Stewart 20 bore (62) for their trips into the west.
But they were better fixed financially than the trappers.
Dan