Stocked in American black walnut, this flint 20 gauge smooth bore fowling gun is a correct replica of a Northwest Trade Gun, circa the mid 1800's. This Trade Gun appears to have been assembled from a kit by late Robert "Curly" Gustomski at North Star. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. Made without a rear sight, this gun qualifies for NMLRA trade gun match events, shooting patched round balls at paper targets, and shot charges at clay birds. It will be a powerful deer hunting gun, accurate to about 100 yards, very handy in thick brush. Trigger reach is 14-1/4" to fit today's taller than average size shooter. Weight is 7 pounds.
The 36" long barrel is over 1" octagon at the breech, tapering to sixteen sides, with a double wedding brand transition to tapered round. The bore measures .620" inside diameter, and is polished bright. The top flat of the barrel is marked with a Fox in a Circle trade mark commonly found on antique trade guns. This ancient mark was a sign of quality, and it became the hallmark for guns made by the late Robert "Curly" Gustomski and his successor at North Star West. The barrel is finished to an even chocolate brown. A brass blade front sight is soldered 1-1/4" behind the muzzle. No rear sight is fitted.
The walnut stock has been finished to a warm brown with some darkening from age and use. The stock has some small handling marks. The long baluster wrist runs from the lock panels to the toe, and the comb seems to sit on top of the flowing wrist. This is classic architecture for early English muskets, especially the early Sea Service muskets, which apparently served as a model for the North West Trade Gun. The design is simple and functional, and these inexpensive guns were imported and sold by the Fur Trade Companies, for many decades. Flint and percussion guns were still popular long after the metallic cartridges arrived, due to the low cost of ammunition for muzzleloading guns. The inletting around the lock is only fair with some cosmetic gaps along the tail, and the wood around the front of the plate is above the plate. The lock mortise does have some visible bedding inside.
The top view shows the thumbnail finial of the flat brass buttplate. The sweeping comb stands above the baluster wrist. The stock has cast-off for a right hand shooter. Cast-off places the right hand shooter's eye directly behind the line of sight making it instinctive to point and shoot. A raised carved beaver tail finial surrounds the flared tang of the breech plug. This Trade Gun has a traditional inverted tang screw, which serves double duty and mounts the front of the triggerguard as well. The bottom view reveals the rounded toe, and the flat brass buttplate that is secured with small nails. The forged steel triggerguard is surface mounted with screws, exactly like early originals. The 3/8" diameter ramrod is fitted with a tapered jagged brass tip with 8-32 threads for accessories. The ramrod pipes are corrugated for strength. The brass serpent sideplate is retained with three screws. Serpentine sideplates were common on early English guns, especially English Sea Service Muskets, where the serpent probably represented strength and stealth at sea. The brass serpent became a standard feature on trade guns made in England, Belgium, and America. The rear loop of the tail is filled with bone, or horn inlay.
The round faced lock is marked with the Fox in a Circle. We recommend our 7/8" knapped flints, for use with this lock. The lock is finished to a dark brown and has some scattered marks in the finish. A properly placed vent is essential to fast ignition. The large two finger trigger provides an easy trigger release. The triggerguard has a large wide bow to accommodate the long trigger. We note that if the rear lock bolt is overtightened it will tip the lock far enough that the sear is held up by the trigger, so it will not fully engage the half cock notch - and allow the lock to fire from half cock.
This Northwest Trade gun is perfect for your next historical event. The bore is bright and clean, and the lock sparks well. It will also look great hanging on the wall and is sure to be a conversation piece! Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.
