Trade gun

[capnwilliam]

I've been thinking about getting a flintlock trade gun, smoothbore, .62 - .64 caliber; something that would be good for a 1750's - 1815 impression.

Any recomendations?

 

[charlie47]

Hi Capt.
Look at Caywoods, R. Wilson "Chiefs Trade Gun". it is an
English model in .62cal(20ga). You can get it with sling
swivels. Caywoods is listed on the "links" section here.
They're beautiful, accurate and appropriate.
Regards,
charlie47
They also offer and interchangeable barrels system.

 

I highly reccomend,......

http://www.northstarwest.com/

Ol'Laffin Dog will treat ya right!! (.... and he sends candy along with yore "parts" or riflegun!! : /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[tg]

You may want to narrow down the time period and decide how "correct" you want the gun to be, most NW guns offered are of a later period once you have made a choice on the type of gun, look to the research material on the originals if you want a "PC" gun not the builders "sales pitch"

 

[Deadeye]

Be sure to take a look at the French " Fucil de Chasse".

 

[Donny]

Have you considered building it yourself??? I ordered a plain blank with the barrel inlet from Jack Garner. The bandsawing was almost a precarve, I just rounded the edges, slimmed the forestock. The tradeguns had fine quality parts, but were generally slapped together, and some sold with no wood or metal finish.. This makes a good gun for the first time builder. just a thought, Don

 

[tg]

Buiding one yourself is a good option, you have a lot more options to get the correct parts to create an accurate replica of most any type from any period.Once again I will stress the importance of research if PC is your thing.

 

[squirejohn]

Capt-William

If your serious about being PC it would do you well to follow tg's advice; particulary if you think you may extend your activities beyond shooting such as re-enacting, trekking, living history etc. I would recommend you narrow down the time period and geographic period your most interested in; i.e. Rocky Mt. fur trade or F&I period (French?, English? north or south etc.). It would also help if you decide on a persona such as farmer or general...
Once you've narrowed this down you may want to check back for advice on PC correct trade gun options. Bieng PC is not as straight forward or simple as envisioned - believe me' I've spent hundreds if not thousands of $ on advertised goods (tents, camp gear, clothing, guns etc.) and have later found out at lot of it is not PC or time/area compatable. Even some of the reference books are incorrect.
I don't mean to discourage you, but take it slow and ask lots of questions. Hope this helps.

 

[davidthered]

Try Loyalist Arms, they have one of the lowest price trade guns I've seen, and very true to the period!
Loyalist Arms-Trade Gun

 

Some good advice from all posts. My advice would be to contact Caywood and get a catologue. I have personal exp. with them and find their products of extremly good quality. Their English game gun is fantastic! I re-enact several eras and have never had a question or foul glance even from the most severe "thread counters". The .54 smoothie is grea on game too! wooden patchbox, round barrel, rifle sights, superb wood and fine quality workmanship. They'd probably make you one in .62. If you are an eastern re-enactor forget the "trade gun". Go to a Tulle or an English fowler. Trade guns as a pattern arm were HBC contract arms, not used in the east.
One of the latest theories is that with the volume of guns produced by the Penn. riflesmiths a majority of the early long rifles were made for the Indian trade. Pattern "trade rifles" are on record as early as 1797 with the opening of the first "trade factory" for the Cherokee at Tellico(sight of the old fort at FT. Loudoun). There is reference to rifles in the hands of the Cherokee as easrly as the F&I War, and they were a long way from Penn. The closer you get to Penn. the more rifles you would have found in the "trade". (my logic anyway)

 

[capnwilliam]

Much good advice there, brothers.

When I say "trade gun", I'm really looking for a generic type; what I would conceptualize as the sort of smaller caliber (.62, say), smoothbore, shorter-barrelled, flintlock shoulder piece: something that will pass muster for historical reeancting, during the 18 - early 19 century; something that I could use for hunting, if I wanted to, with buck or bird or ball.

You might also term it a "fowler" or "fusil de chasse".

Capt. William