Photos of original trade gun

[hyltoto]

At the Wixom MI Cracker Bbl. Converted to percussion with a hammer shaped like a dogs head. How do I paste them for your guys reference?

[Tom Currie]

Hyltoto, Are you refering to the Cracker Barrel in Brighton ?

[rich pierce]

At the Wixom MI Cracker Bbl. Converted to percussion with a hammer shaped like a dogs head. How do I paste them for your guys reference?

First you need to upload them to a server like photobucket etc. then get the URL and insert it here. If you email me the pictures I'll do it.
rpierce@im.wustl.edu

[hyltoto]

Sorry for the delay boys, I was in Mexico visiting our old jobs. I should have said Willow Run instead of Wixom. I don't if is actually in Willow Run, but it is between there and DTW airport on I94.

[rich pierce]

Here are the pix he sent me.  Remember, they were taken with a cell phone.

[northmn]

Thanks for the photos.  Now for the questions.  Is the lock marked or are there any proof marks?  Gauge and barrel length?  It a NW gun but cannot place its age.

DP

[doug]

     I am not convinced that the gun is a  northwest gun.  Look at the differences in the lock panel and the trigger guard between the one on the wall and the two in the photo below.  The decorative (yuck) border ahead of the butt plate on the upper gun is a recent add on.  All the trade guns that I have seen have had those distinctive big bulky trigger guards.

cheers Doug

[Clark Badgett]

Looks more like a fowler type to me.

[northmn]

The buttplate looked NW as did the lock.  But on closer view the barrel looks like it tapers from Oct to round right away.  Thimbles are not NW either and the trigger guard is different.   Some of the features are hard to judge.   Really wanted more info as some of the later ones did vary.  Likely not NW on closer look.

DP

[Michael]

A parts and pieces gun or a restock?

Michael

[Tommy Bruce]

The lock plate doesn't look English, maybe it's an earlier trade gun, possibly Dutch ?   We should all go to that cracker barrel and have an in depth study.  Along with a smokehouse breakfast.

[Mike Brooks]

Ok, here's my guess. It's a parts gun from the New England area. Looks like a flat faced French lock. Trigger guard looks French too. The stock shape is very New England. The buttplate is nailed on sheet brass which would be common for one of these too.

[doug]

   Really wanted more info as some of the later ones did vary.  Likely not NW on closer look.

      The lock on the upper gun is home made but the barrel and stock date to 1790- 1810 based on the maker's name on the bottom of the barrel.   The lower gun is complete apart from a missing butt plate and the lock is date 1884 with both the tombstone fox and Barnett stamped on it.   What is common to see on original northwest guns, is a rear sight chopped in with a cold chisel; ie a fin of metal rolled up and a notch filed in.

cheers Doug