Lot 48

Parker Field & Co. Hudson Bay Indian Trade Rifle

Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
Included in this lot is an 1856 Parker Field & Co. Hudson Bay Indian Trade rifle. Probably one of, if not the, most underappreciated firearm of the North American Frontier, the Northwest Trade Gun dates back to the earliest years of western expansion into the interior of the unexplored continent. Arguably the most established and constant commodity of the fur trade, and traded to Native Americans and European trappers alike, the Northwest Trade Gun was manufactured for over 200 years with only minor changes in the pattern and specifications. Sitting Bull carried a Parker Field & Co. 1870 dated Hudson Bay Trade Gun. These simple muskets with their distinctive serpent side plates, oversized trigger guards, and octagon-to-round banded smooth bore barrels continued to be stocked in the inventory of remote trading posts. Through the turn of the 20TH Century, they were carried into the mountain ranges, open plains, and vast deserts by the native people who relied on the Northwest Gun’s dependability, simple – and importantly, easily repaired – mechanics, and readily available ammunition. In short, no other single firearm was carried through as much of American history, from the primeval forests of the east to the shores of the western coast, as were these Northwest Trade Guns. This rifle has the Hudson Bay Co. Tombstone Fox over EB on both the barrel and lock. Along as evidence of the Fox in the Circle Hudson Bay acceptance cartouche on the right buttstock. This rifle is a flint lock conversion to percussion and cap. The piece is accompanied with a forged iron ramrod and is in functioning condition with the hammer locking back and the trigger releasing it accordingly. The piece has fine honest condition for its age with nice metal finish and handling wear expected on such an early and rare example. No Serial Number. Black powder firearms do not require a FFL Transfer or NICS Background Check.