need history on what was used during the fur trade?

[TheDr]

https://www.nps.gov/fous/learn/historyculture/firearms-of-fort-union.htm

 

[Ephraim Kibbey]

The Fort on Mackinaw Island between the UP and LP of Michigan has a great deal of information on the early fur trade as the island was a central part of it. As a meeting point of three of the Great Lakes, it was a natural rendez-vous. It is also a neat place to step back in time as EVERY vehicle is horse drawn. The "Loon Feather" is a good story about the times.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

as I want to hunt with what they used back in the fur trade using either a trade musket in 20 guage as I am looking at some I like as I want to experience hunting with the weapons our ancestors used and also was there 32 caliber or 36 caliber rifles used back then as well? thanks guys!

Well you probably are talking about the Rocky Mountain fur trade?

Seems that down in America, rifles were favored but not exclusive. So a .50 or .54 caliber caplock, "plains" style rifle will give you an idea of what it was like. Shoot patched round ball if you want the whole picture. I don't think there are records of "Hawken" rifles being made in flintlock, but there were "trade rifles" made by guys like Derringer (same guy as the tiny pistols) who made them in flintlock.

The Lyman "trade rifle" will do you very well. Folks will sometimes say the 1:48 twist rate is some sort of "compromise", which is a myth, since it's the most commonly found twist rate in original rifles, long before "conical" bullets were available. https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/lymantm-trade-rifle-percussion.html or for a few dollars more there is this from Lyman https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/lymantm-great-plains-rifle-percussion.html which has the slower twist for much heavier loads with a patched, round ball.

Now up along the Northern US border, and in Canada, the 20 gauge trade-gun was much more popular than the "plains" rifle...aka the "Hawken". Not a great copy of such a gun, BUT a good shooting gun that has all the requirements of the original is the Pedersoli "Indian Trade Musket" https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...8/product_name/FK3370+INDIAN+TRADE+MUSKET+KIT The link is to the "kit" which you simply sand, stain, and seal, because DGW is out of stock on the finished piece. So while you'll be limited to around 50 yards with this shotgun, you will however be able to use shot for small game like rabbit and squirrels.

LD

 

[Ironhand54]

The one gun that spans the entire history of the fur trade is the trade gun. From the Great Lakes to the Rockies they were in common use.

As noted previously, the trade gun was tough and versatile. I have used mine for years. I have taken everything from deer to squirrel with it. Could you do things better with a battery of specialized guns? Yes, but the trade gun does everything well enough.

For the price of a Pedersoli kit {or a little more} you can buy a much better product from custom shops like Sitting Fox.

http://sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/k-11/

Enjoy
IronHand

 

[Loyalist Dave]

For the price of a Pedersoli kit {or a little more} you can buy a much better product from custom shops like Sitting Fox.

Well YES it will most likely be a better copy of the original, but it's $300 more for assembled gun with you finishing the wood, and $400 more for a completed gun..., and you have to wait. So IF budget and time are part of the equation, then you might want to still look at the Pedersoli.

Whether or not the pricier options is better than the Pedersoli....., the components will likely be better, but will the assembly be...it should be, but not always since Sitting Fox sometimes contracts out for their builds. Just something to remember, but I've seen some guns from Pedersoli that "slipped through the cracks" when it comes to quality control as well.

So IF you can wait and afford it, the American built, better component gun is a better value in the long-run.

LD

 

[cheygriz]

First, definitions./
At least in this part of the country, THE Fur Trade is generally considered to be in the rocky mountains, from around 1805 to just before the civil war.

I have no idea which rifles were most common, but the most popular and sought after were the Hawken and the "trade rifle."

Modern day BP enthusiasts virtually all carry these at their annual rendezvous.

Museums in this part of the country have many of these rifles, and almost no smooth bore guns. Kentucky types are also fairly rare.

If you ever get the opportunity, visit the "Museum of the Mountain Man" at Pinedale, WY. (JIm Bridger's Hawken is on display there)

The "Museum of the Fur trade" in Chadron NE, and, of course, the "Buffalo Bill Center" in Cody Wyoming. Note: Plan on a full day, or even two for the enormous Buffalo Bill Center.

 

[Armored farmer]

Buffalo Bill Center" in Cody Wyoming. Note: Plan on a full day, or even two for the enormous Buffalo Bill Center.

For sure. Ive been there a few times. The family had to drag me away. I loved every bit of it.