Serpent side plate, to inlet or not

[Kentuckyjed]

Howdy all, I am looking for information on the serpent side plate on a Northwest Trade Gun. Were they typically inlet into the side of the gun? I have seen pictures of new and museum pieces that had the side plate just bolted on and others were inlet. Any thoughts why this might have been done other than aesthetics?

 

[Rató:rats]

Hey Jed
I assume you’ve looked at Ryan R. Gale’s excellent work For Trade and Treaty: Firearms of the American Indians 1600-1920 (Track of the wolf Inc, 2010)
Of all the NW trade guns shown all the side plates are inlet. Also all of the the trade guns besides NW guns like the French fusil de traite and American trade rifles by guys like Leman and Derringer have inlet side plates.
At the end of the day go with what looks best to your eye and hang the rest.
If you’re building a gun and are worried your skills or available tools aren’t up to the task you can always surface mount it now and inlet at a later date, though you have to take more care after the gun is stained and sealed.

Couple examples;

 

[Kentuckyjed]

Thanks, for the input. I am in the process of building a NWTG and decided to inlet the serpent side plate after all. I do not know if I will go full or half inlet as of yet.