Northwest Trade guns in Wisconsin

[Daddyof2]

Gentlemen, Forgive me but I am not that knowledgeable on Northwest trade guns. My question  is this, were Northwest  trade guns still in circulation and  being used in Wisconsin in the years circa 1850-1870? Could one have been used by a poor farmer/trapper to help feed his family who lived in Wisconsin during this time frame? Maybe an old flintlock Northwest converted to percussion during this time frame. Thanks guys for the help!

[Brent English]

I think it is very possible.  Hercules Dousman was a partner in the American Fur Company that lasted until 1842.  He lived in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.  His home is now a state park, Villa Louis.  My 3rd great grandfather worked for Dousman, first as a voyageur and then as a courier.  I live in SW Wisconsin about an hour east of Prairie du Chien.  I imagine many trade guns made their way through the warehouses there.  In fact, I bought a relic NW trade gun at a farm auction about half way between there and where I live now.  While I have no proof, I like to think it came from there, and that perhaps my old grand dad had something to do with it.  Somewhat further north of there in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, I bought another relic home-made barn gun sort of thing.  It had an old trade gun style barrel with Belgium proofs.  So I think what you're proposing is quite reasonable.

[Daddyof2]

Brent English, thanks so much for the info! Laura Ingalls lived in Pepin, Wisconsin during this time and described her father (Charles Ingalls)  in her book  using a percussion gun during her growing up years. Described cleaning method, making bullets for it and replacing ramrod under barrel. Nobody knows for sure type of gun but was wondering if an old Northwest gun converted to percussion  a possibility for the poor trapper/ hunter/ farmer from was. Thanks again Brent for your help.

[Majorjoel]

I bought this original NW trade gun several years ago.  It had previously been in a Wisconsin museum collection for many years.   The gun was built around a 30" oct to round barrel in 24 gage and was a flintlock, which is interesting for a date of 1870.






 

[Pukka Bundook]

I believe Hudson Bay Company carried these even later than 1870, MajorJoel, but I can't remember the date.
Your gun looks in grand order!

[Ray Nelson]

Yes Tombstone fox stamp on the lock plate. These were made for the Native customers during these 1870's still for sure. Parker a supplier in both ignition systems.

This is an extremely nice example!

Ray

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Majorjoel:  yours is in slightly better shape than the one I have.  This one was found in the shallows along a lake shore near my town in North Central British Columbia, Canada, about 14 years ago.  Like yours, it has the lock model 1865, short barrel of original length, and 28 gauge.

[westbj2]

In the late 1980's I bought a trade gun from a Canadian who brought it down to Minneapolis from Kenora Ontario.  The gun was virtually new and  marked  Barnett 1885. Seller told me the family bought the gun at the Hudson Bay Store in Kenora in 1902.
Jim