Northwest Trade Gun by Isaac Hollis & Sons
Item #: AA3472
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This is a black powder trade gun from the mid 1800's manufactured by Isaac Hollis & Sons of Birmingham, England. These trade guns were introduced in the 18th century, and remained one of the staple trade goods with the native Americans far into the 19th century. The major difference between the early guns and the later ones is the type of ignition system used, early guns were flintlock while the later guns used percussion locks. They were used from the time period dating before the American Revolution all the way to late in the Indian Wars of the late 1800's. This trade gun is of the later variant, and has always been a percussion ignition gun. It measures 49" overall, with a barrel length of 33"". The barrel is the typical fowling piece design, with the first 7 1/4" being octagon at the breech terminating in baluster turned "wedding band" rings, then a 3 1/4" round section ending in baluster turned rings with the remainder of the barrel being round. The smooth bore barrel gauges out at .60 caliber. There is no rear sight on the barrel, the front sight is a small blade type. The barrel has an untouched brown and black patina. It has two strong Birmingham proof marks on the left barrel flat at the breech end, with the number 25 between the view and proof marks. The 25 indicates a .577 caliber bore. There are no other visible stamps on the barrel. The Enfield style lock plate and hammer have a matching patina of the barrel. The lock is stamped with I. HOLLIS & SONS in a single line forward of the hammer. The Hollis monogramed logo is stamped to the rear of the hammer, with MAKERS TO HER MAJESTY'S WAR DEPARTMENT in an arc around the logo. The hammer locks in the half cock and cocked position, with the action being crisp and strong. The nose band, ramrod thimbles and butt plate are brass, the trigger guard is iron. The side plate is made of brass, and is of the serpent or dragon design. This one has been together for a while, as all the brass has a matching chocolate patina. The barrel is secured to the stock through small iron pins. The stock is a beautiful dark brown and shows honest wear from use. The barrel channels are still amazingly crisp with no chips or loss of wood. There are no cracks in the wood anywhere. That's pretty amazing for a 150 plus year old piece of wood. The wooden ramrod that came with the gun looks to be an old replacement. This is a good representative of an untouched, mid 1800's trade gun made by Isaac Hollis & Sons for export to America for the fur trade, and could have been used by trappers, mountain men or Native Americans. It has all the characteristics you want to see in a North West Trade gun, from the extra large trigger bow, serpentine side plate, octagon to round barrel to the carved tear drop flats on the stock. This Northwest Trade Gun has been period shortened for whatever reason, but it still has some fantastic eye appeal. This is a great piece of history that will enhance any Native American, fur trade or trapper collection.
Shipping Weight:
5 lbs
Item # AA3472
Your Price $2,875.00 USD
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