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My New Carolina Trade Gun!

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Joined
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Well I just sent payment off for one of Clay Smith’s Type G Carolina trade guns:

151B2752-9755-4347-8DD1-999B813EADF1.png


It’s this one on his website: Painted Type G Trade Gun

It’s got a red painted stock like some originals had (they could also be found in different colors and patterns of paint) and I am having Clay mount a rear sight based off of historical originals that some of this pattern of trade gun had. I really think this gun is beautiful and love the serpent sideplate. I’ve never owned a smoothbore and am excited to work up the most accurate round ball load I can. I chose a .58 (24 gauge) because balls are quite a bit cheaper vs a .62/20 gauge. I want to experiment using tow wadding as this was a very (most?) common method of loading these old smoothbore trade guns. There isn’t much evidence for PRB use in them.

Just thought I’d share. It’s fall time now and the best time of year to shoot muzzleloaders IMHO. Thanks gang!

-Smokey
 
Well I just sent payment off for one of Clay Smith’s Type G Carolina trade guns:

View attachment 168283

It’s this one on his website: Painted Type G Trade Gun

It’s got a red painted stock like some originals had (they could also be found in different colors and patterns of paint) and I am having Clay mount a rear sight based off of historical originals that some of this pattern of trade gun had. I really think this gun is beautiful and love the serpent sideplate. I’ve never owned a smoothbore and am excited to work up the most accurate round ball load I can. I chose a .58 (24 gauge) because balls are quite a bit cheaper vs a .62/20 gauge. I want to experiment using tow wadding as this was a very (most?) common method of loading these old smoothbore trade guns. There isn’t much evidence for PRB use in them.

Just thought I’d share. It’s fall time now and the best time of year to shoot muzzleloaders IMHO. Thanks gang!

-Smokey
I'm excited for you LM! He makes a fine gun. Just so you're aware if you want to shoot some of the Smoothbore matches at Friendship some (if not all) of them stipulate "no rear sight above the barrel".

You are correct there is no documentation (I'm aware of) on using patched round balls in smoothbores during the 18th century. I am however finding that my Fowler shoots better with a very thin lubed patch vs using Tow but I love loading it with just Tow it's just fun!

Let's shoot the woodswalk with our Smoothbores next year!

Edit: My mistake I thought this was my friend Loja man's post. He had just commented on it. Smokey Plainsman I'm sure you will love the gun
 
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You did well to have a rear sight installed, good choice. It's a great looking gun and I like it. How long is the barrel, it's obviously NOT a carbine.? My experience is that a very accurate prb load is fairly easy to find when it comes to smooth bores. I have not found it difficult to have more than just one prb load that will bring smiles to one's face.
 
You did well to have a rear sight installed, good choice. It's a great looking gun and I like it. How long is the barrel, it's obviously NOT a carbine.? My experience is that a very accurate prb load is fairly easy to find when it comes to smooth bores. I have not found it difficult to have more than just one prb load that will bring smiles to one's face.

Thanks! It’s for a 48” barrel. I’m so excited to shoot it!
 
Well I just sent payment off for one of Clay Smith’s Type G Carolina trade guns:

View attachment 168283

It’s this one on his website: Painted Type G Trade Gun

It’s got a red painted stock like some originals had (they could also be found in different colors and patterns of paint) and I am having Clay mount a rear sight based off of historical originals that some of this pattern of trade gun had. I really think this gun is beautiful and love the serpent sideplate. I’ve never owned a smoothbore and am excited to work up the most accurate round ball load I can. I chose a .58 (24 gauge) because balls are quite a bit cheaper vs a .62/20 gauge. I want to experiment using tow wadding as this was a very (most?) common method of loading these old smoothbore trade guns. There isn’t much evidence for PRB use in them.

Just thought I’d share. It’s fall time now and the best time of year to shoot muzzleloaders IMHO. Thanks gang!

-Smokey
I also have a RED CHIEFS' SPECIAL, with a red milk painted stock made with brick dust. I had SWEET WILLIAM, WILLIAM , BILLY DOUGLAS from VT. he made it for me 27 yrs. ago. it is my favorite gun. won a lot of TURKEYS & HAMS at club shoots with it over the yrs.! now at 78+++yrs old only punch holes in paper.
 
I also have a RED CHIEFS' SPECIAL, with a red milk painted stock made with brick dust. I had SWEET WILLIAM, WILLIAM , BILLY DOUGLAS from VT. he made it for me 27 yrs. ago. it is my favorite gun. won a lot of TURKEYS & HAMS at club shoots with it over the yrs.! now at 78+++yrs old only punch holes in paper.



Toot, I would very much like to see a photo of that gun. I'm willing to bet it's a really cool smoothbore.
 

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