4429

STUNNING NORTHWEST TRADE FOWLER BY WILLIAM CHANCE

Currency:USD Category:Firearms & Military Start Price:3,250.00 USD Estimated At:6,500.00 - 8,000.00 USD
STUNNING NORTHWEST TRADE FOWLER BY WILLIAM CHANCE
& SON OF BIRMINGHAM FOR THE AMERICAN FUR COMPANY. Cal. 20 ga. NSN. Bbl. 35 5/8". This extraordinarily attractive gun was produced by William Chance & Son of Birmingham, England. It was part of a group of Northwest trade guns supplied to the American Fur Company beginning in the early 1830s. In the year 1808, the state of New York granted a charter to John Jacob Astor, giving birth to the American Fur Company. After the War of 1812, lands in the northwest that were previously occupied by British companies were open to American fur traders. Astor recognized the opportunity and the penchant of the Native American tribes for British-made trade muskets. Astor established strong relationships with many British gunmakers, and his company grew quickly because of this. This gun features an octagon to round barrel with a bladed front sight. The breech area is marked on the top flat with the "Tombstone Fox" and the American Fur Company "IA" mark, along with "LONDON". The left flat shows two Birmingham proofs. The lock also shows the "Tombstone Fox" and American Fur Company "IA" mark below the pan. The lock is also marked in back of the cock "W. CHANCE & SON". Plain iron trigger guard with brass buttplate. The side plate is of classic dragon form, as seen on most all of the Northwest Trade fowlers. Brass ramrod thimbles house a brass-tipped wooden ramrod. The full-length stock is branded on the right cheek with a circle encompassing a fox. CONDITION: the barrel, lock, and trigger guard appear to have been cleaned some time in the past, but have begun to acquire a pleasing, gray patina. Lock holds both full and half cock. Brass has a mellow, mustard patina. Stock has been kindly refinished and has a 1 3/8" chip just behind the barrel tang. Very good bore. A splendid trade musket with great visual appeal. (01-25818/BF). $6,500-8,000.