I have a North West FL Trade gun made in Kit form by Cury Gostomski in the mid 80's, as theyre a rather plain ML I felt a need to add some Tacks but held off until Curly G visited Australia and stayed over with us.
When I showed him the finished Trade gun and mentioned I was interested in adding some Brass tacks, it became a discussion among us dear ML kindred friends there at the time.
According to the Man brass tacked Trade guns were common enough with white Trappers, and some of them were tacked to commemorate special events or experiences symbolically.
So with further thought over time and sourcing of real Brass tacks in different sizes, I sketched out a design that story-told the four of us sitting around a night fire in the mountain wilderness we camped at with the ol "Grey Badger" (Curly G).
Ref first photo "Mountain Solace camp", from the left the small Tacks represent the Trail we packed in to our campsite up in the Blue Mountains.
The group of 4 larger Tacks being seated "at council" at nights (larger Tack being the Grey Badger, then small tacks out leading into the morning Sun down from the mountains a few days later.
Other side of the Butt, a Cross of Faith which serves two purposes; to remind me of my personal Christian Faith and to conduct myself accordingly even in the wilderness. Secondly so others can recognise it as a silent statement of my Faith.
Last photo is of the top flat surface of the Butt, representing the path of the round Ball as it diminishes out of sight speeding to its target, as a Hunt then an inevitable end to one of Natures gifts. Secondly a reminder that all of us are only here for a limited time, symbolised with the diminishing Tack sizes in line with the Barrel muzzle end. A muzzle that will see my own Ashes dispersed when my journey is done.
Forgive me for detailing why I Brass tacked my personally meaningful North West Trade gun, I dont advocate just tacking any other Gun for ornamentations sake, if anyone has a yen to include some Tacking why not consider it with care; and personalise it with commemorative memories thereby elevating "that Gun" to a valued sentiment you will always hold dear.
Here's to you ol Grey Badger.
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