This is a relic condition 1850's Indian trade gun. The gun has an overall length of 45" and a barrel length of 31 1/4" The barrel is a typical fowler type, being hex shaped at the breech but becoming rounded 10" from the breech. The bore is smooth, dark and rusty and measures out as a 28 gauge. One ramrod thimble is missing and the barrel has what looks like a crack on the right side by the front sight, but it is not cracked all the way through. The front sight is a narrow brass blade type. There is no rear sight and does not appear to have ever been one, further evidence the gun was originally made as a shotgun. The nipple is missing and looks to have been gone for many moons! The lockplate is unmarked and has no scroll work or engraving. The hammer will not cock. The trigger guard is also plain, without any type of decoration. The interesting thing about it is the provision for a sling swivel. The swivel itself is missing, along with the butt plate and the left side plate. The side plates are what really distinguish these guns as being trade guns. Normally they were made of brass and were in the shape of a serpent. The half stock shows plenty of wear and tear. There is a repair at the breech, wood loss forward of the lockplate and several cracks on each side of the stock. The right side of the stock has been provisioned for a patchbox. The patchbox itself is also missing. There are four large, round tacks on the right side of the stock. The left side of the stock has a cheek rest and some decorative carving to go with it. Everything that is still with the gun is made of iron, to include the wire wrapped around the front part of the stock and barrel, apparently serving as a barrel band. A wooden ramrod came with this gun but I am unsure if it is original to it. While it may be missing a few pieces, this gun represents the trade industry with the Native Americans during the formative years of the American expansion.

Item # AA1074

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