Jeff he has been discussed on a few other threads. A bit on the Bull Buffalo Horn thread. That was on Clark's buffalo powder horn, There are fellows on this site that know far more about Creamer than me, maybe they will chime in on your question..
He started his career in Maryland and moved to Illinois in 1805. Setting up his business in Dupo just across the river from St. Louis. Around 1824 he went back East and worked at Harpers Ferry for a few months . In 1825 he went back west and set up shop in St. Louis and worked there until about 1835.
He worked for the Indian Department. I read somewhere that he had a shop that was especially for the Indian Affairs business and one for his regular gun business . There is record of him making pistols for several dignitaries of the time. But I know of only two of his Western made rifle and they are nothing alike. There are surly more out there somewhere. I read in a fur traders account book where he made a down payment to Creame on a rifle in the amount of $17.00 . That alone was a lot for a rifle. What was the total cost and what did it look like
When the subject of St. Louis guns comes up Creamer is rarely mentioned. Its always Hawken, Gimmer, Dimick or others. Creamer was in the area long before most (or all ) of these fellows and his work is certainly not below their level. But Hawken is the big name. I have a friend who is involved in Hawken up to his eye balls. I told him that Willam Clark had two rifles that are now in the museum and both showed his good taste in rifles.. One is John Small and the other by Creamer.. He said," I am surprised he didn't have a Hawken!" I replied " That may tell you what he thought about Hawken." He laughed !
The lock on this rifle is an original Ashmore flint action.. Its of the same general shape as the one on the now converted Creamer, but different style pan.
Bob I am not sure that I will be at the CLA. Would like to. If I do I will bring the rifle and horn.
Jeff ask about the original rifle. I am attaching a museum full length photo. . There are some other photos on this site in the builder section. They were posted by a fellow who was making his Creamer copy.. Lots of close ups.. Can't tell you how to find them.
Smiley grouch the wrist is 16 lines per inch.. May not be exactly like the museum rifle. I got screwed up on the count.
Thanks for the nice comments.... Louie