Serpent Sideplate Question

[Panzerschwein]

Well hi. I’ve seen two types of serpent sideplate. One looks cast and has a 3D look to it. The other appears made from a flat cutout and the scales, teeth, etc. are engraved in.





Are both styles historically correct? If not, which one is “correct”? If both are correct, which style goes with what type of guns/eras?

God bless,

Dillon

[RAT]

Early proto-NW guns used a flat sheet brass side plate. This was replaced by a cast serpent side plate by around 1745. This became standard (with some variation) through production of NW guns into the early 20th century.

Also... There was a unique style of trade gun traded to south east native groups during the later part of the 18th century that continued to use the flat plate. It was not a NW trade gun, but a separate style specifically used for trade in that region. Some today refer to it as a "Carolina Gun". Pieces show up in dig sites from the Mississippi river and south of the Ohio.

[Panzerschwein]

Early proto-NW guns used a flat sheet brass side plate. This was replaced by a cast serpent side plate by around 1745. This became standard (with some variation) through production of NW guns into the early 20th century.

Also... There was a unique style of trade gun traded to south east native groups during the later part of the 18th century that continued to use the flat plate. It was not a NW trade gun, but a separate style specifically used for trade in that region. Some today refer to it as a "Carolina Gun". Pieces show up in dig sites from the Mississippi river and south of the Ohio.

Thank you, great info.

[RAT]

Also... Nathan Bender is the go-to expert on trade gun serpent side plates. He's semi-retired but works at the research library at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody WY. You can probably contact him with questions through his museum contact info. You can also buy his book "The Art of the English Trade Gun in North America". Great guy. We've been friends for 30 years.