HBC Columbia dept. weapons?

[greytop13]

I had difficulty deciding whether to post this here or under Fur Trade. Please move it if I'm in the wrong spot.

I've been reading about the Northwest/HBC trappers who were working the West Coast and Snake River around 1820-1840. The descriptions of their firearms are fairly vague but I assume they are using smoothbores rather than rifles (as the Americans were). I assumed they were using trade guns but realize after reading some accounts on the inferior quality of those guns, that they probably had something superior to what they traded with the native population.

Can anyone point me to pictures or online sources for the long guns used by the fellas working out of Ft. Vancouver?
Thanks.

 

No not all were smooth bores or trade guns.....see the second paragraph for some ideas......

not only were English made rifles available but at least one American rifles (most probably a Lancaster pattern from J Henry, Fordney, et al).

 

[Claude Mathis]

Opening the above image in a new browser window will enlarge it and make it easier to read. :thumbsup:
[url] http://www.wrtcleather.com/1-ckd/firearms/english-guns-003.jpg[/url]

 

[greytop13]

Gray wolf,
Thanks for the detailed information. You set me on a new quest to research English rifles.
Claude,
Thanks for the eye-saving link. Me old peepers appreciate it.
:hatsoff:

 

Thanks Claude - forgot that the software shrinks images!

the advertisements from St Louis during the 1820-40's listed in Charles Hanson's book "The Hawken Rifles: It's place in history" lists many English guns of all types being sold. You might also P.M. Puffer, a member here, who has been researching the same subject.......