Author Topic: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?  (Read 2036 times)

Canuck Bob

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While searching the term architecture is fairly  common.  I was hoping to get an education.  Specifically it was noted that there was architectural similarities to a fowling piece for the Chief's type trade rifle.

What are the architectural elements of a Chief's musket?  For that matter any flintlock?


Offline rich pierce

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Re: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2018, 12:06:30 AM »
So, this is a broad question without clear answers as far as I know. Rule #1 is to almost never use contemporary kit offerings as primary sources of information about originals. Period documentation can offer clues as far as barrel lengths, bore sizes, quality of locks, stock wood, and even furniture but nothing of architecture.

The timeframe and where the guns were supplied from would dictate architecture. French, English, Belgian, or American? When, between 1690 and 1850?  Or where in between?

“Chief’s grade” can often serve as a marketing tool. Then and now, I guess.
Andover, Vermont

ddoyle

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Re: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2018, 06:49:03 PM »

The Museum of the Fur Trade published a big beauiful book on Trade Guns. It costs about the same as two months internet and some timies' coffees. Buy it. You can search the inet for a decade and you will know less at the end then the beginning. Buy the book or have it brought into a local library. This forum is the best place in the world for learning from smart guys about alot of specific things but it cannot replace in anyway what you get from a proper book.  What the book costs will save you 1500 dollars on buying the parts for your second build ;) Build a Trade Musket with out the book and you will be disapointed guarenteed.

Your gonna want Mr Rayl or Mr Burton or Rice turn you a barrel send one of them a deposit now to get on the list, buy the book and by the time your number comes up you will know what you want. Do not think your gonna build a proper trade musket out of a catalogue.


Offline rollingb

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Re: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?
« Reply #3 on: May 03, 2018, 01:21:13 AM »

The Museum of the Fur Trade published a big beauiful book on Trade Guns. It costs about the same as two months internet and some timies' coffees. Buy it. You can search the inet for a decade and you will know less at the end then the beginning. Buy the book or have it brought into a local library. This forum is the best place in the world for learning from smart guys about alot of specific things but it cannot replace in anyway what you get from a proper book.  What the book costs will save you 1500 dollars on buying the parts for your second build ;) Build a Trade Musket with out the book and you will be disapointed guarenteed.

Your gonna want Mr Rayl or Mr Burton or Rice turn you a barrel send one of them a deposit now to get on the list, buy the book and by the time your number comes up you will know what you want. Do not think your gonna build a proper trade musket out of a catalogue.
I agree 100% with ddoyle,... this is a wonderful book on Trade Guns.  :)
http://tradmla.org/tmaf/index.php
"An honest man is worth his weight in gold"

Offline Clark Badgett

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Re: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?
« Reply #4 on: May 03, 2018, 07:05:06 AM »
Quote
The Museum of the Fur Trade published a big beauiful book on Trade Guns.
I have Hanson's book entitled the Northwest Gun.  Hanson was the director of the Museum of the Fur Trade.  This is his earliest one, published by the Nebraska State Historical Society and copyright 1956, reprinted in 1970 and 1976.  It has a whole section on Indian Trade guns and Indian rifles.

$10 shipped if you want it.

If he doesn't want it, I'm interested.
Psalms 144

ClaudeH

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Re: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?
« Reply #5 on: May 04, 2018, 05:51:10 PM »

The Museum of the Fur Trade published a big beauiful book on Trade Guns.


Do you know the title of that book?  I can't search it up.

Thanks!

Offline rollingb

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Re: Difference between a Trade Gun and Chief's Grade architecture?
« Reply #6 on: May 04, 2018, 06:56:08 PM »

The Museum of the Fur Trade published a big beauiful book on Trade Guns.


Do you know the title of that book?  I can't search it up.

Thanks!
The book's title is,.......
The Encyclopedia of Trade Goods 1 FIREARMS of the FUR TRADE
This books weighs about 10 lbs. and is full of illustrations.  :)
http://tradmla.org/tmaf/index.php
"An honest man is worth his weight in gold"