This flintlock smoothbore is in the style of early Trade guns made in England, circa 1730 to 1760, for the fur trade in America and Canada. Author T. M. Hamilton shows a variety of examples in his book Colonial Frontier Guns. Although few of these early guns have survived as complete guns, many have been found at archaeological sites, mostly east of the Mississippi river. Widely distributed, this early gun is ideal for use by a serious re-enactor. The long baluster wrist is a classic early feature of fusils and trade guns from Europe. The trigger reach is 14-1/4", to easily fit today's larger or taller shooter. This very light weight fowling gun weighs only 7.7 pounds.
The 44" octagon-to-round barrel is 20 gauge. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. The barrel has a s 14-3/4" tapered octagon breech with a double wedding band transition to round. A silver blade front sight is soldered behind the muzzle. The breech end of the barrel is signed John Donelson 1998. The barrel has a silvery gray patina. This smoothbore could be used with patched round balls or shot. Use bismuth bird shot for waterfowl, or conventional lead shot for upland game.
Stocked in walnut with a light brown tone, this smoothbore is fitted with a engraved fowler style buttplate and ball end finial triggerguard similar to a "Wilson's Chief's grade trade gun". The brass ramrod pipes were formed from sheet brass in traditional fashion. The three ramrod pipes are shaped with a corrugated pattern. These embossed ridges make the thin brass ramrod pipes much stronger, less likely to dent during use. We did notice the forend of the stock has a small amount of movement between the forward most and middle underlug. The ramrod is fitted with a brass cleaning jag, we could not get the jag off to confirm the thread on the tip. The brass dragon sideplate is similar to a "Type G sideplate" fitted flush and hand engraved. Three lock bolts are found on such early trade guns, and all three are working bolts, which retain the lock plate at three points. Later guns were fitted with two lock bolts, and finally reduced to a single lock bolt.
This fowler is fitted with a R.E. Davis Tryon flintlock that has been altered to remove the external pan bridle to give it an early round faced lock appearance. The frizzen is supported by the shouldered frizzen pivot screw. This early round faced flintlock has a speckled gray brown appearance from age. We recommend a 1" by 1-1/8" gun flint in this lock. A vent hole liner is well centered on the pan, correctly positioned above the pan, where the flash is most intense. The curled trigger is pinned high, to provide good leverage, and a smooth light trigger release.
A used early English Trade Gun with 20 gauge 44" octagon-to-round barrel, walnut stock and brass and iron furniture. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
