English trade rifles

[dannybb55]

Cowans auctioned an English Type C trade rifle back in 2005 for over 5 grand. The auction # is 972. The rifle has a 44 1/2 in Bbl, a Germanic flintlock, dovetailed wooden patchbox, single trigger. It gives me the impression of an English built rifle trying to look like an American with German influence. Does any one know much about this type. Who were they made for and how long? etc. Thanks for the help.
 Danny

[Mike Brooks]

Dewitt Bailey has a book with lots of information on them. They were more of an "alliance"gun than a "trade" gun.

[dannybb55]

Mike, Were the later Henry English Rifles related? Also, was this the type of rifle carried by HBC trappers in Canada and Oregon?
            Danny

[altankhan]

A good source, with a number of clear b and w photos of a number of English-pattern trade rifles, if you can find it, is: 

Proceedings of the 1984 Trade Gun Conference, Part II Selected Papers, Research Records No. 18, 1985.  Published by Research Division, Rochester Museum and Science Center, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, New York, 14603 (don't know if this address is still good)

[Dphariss]

Cowans auctioned an English Type C trade rifle back in 2005 for over 5 grand. The auction # is 972. The rifle has a 44 1/2 in Bbl, a Germanic flintlock, dovetailed wooden patchbox, single trigger. It gives me the impression of an English built rifle trying to look like an American with German influence. Does any one know much about this type. Who were they made for and how long? etc. Thanks for the help.
 Danny

Apparently they were trying to mimic American rifles circa 1770-1775 in many cases.
But there are English made (at least listing their original cost in London), iron mounted rifles listed as being in stock at trading posts in the F&I period.
I would find a copy of DeWitt Bailey's "British military Flintlock Rifles. It has good information on Indian rifles both early and late.

Dan