Sioux Nation Indian Trade Musket Buffalo Hide Wrapped "Help"

Lol, yep.

 

Hi Komokwa,

I know this OP is quite old, however, your reply matches very closely to a caplock rifle in my possession…including a “burst” barrel, no butt-plate, iron nail decoration, sheet metal trigger guard, and leather strapping. It appears to be a repaired/refitted cap lock where perhaps the original mechanism broke and a salvage one used to replace. I don’t think it is a conversion from flintlock but a repaired cap lock. If you have any thoughts about this piece, I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks

 

@Skinflint ........ tag me , like I've done here to you ...specially if u need me in on a 7 year old thread ! OK ?...

I have a bad sinus cold , so I'm a lot off my game , so I'll tag @the blacksmith for now , and reply off the cuff as to what I see at a glance.

 

That's a strange split.....
I'm not thrilled that the gun seems to be all one color ... except , the nipple assembly and the stock that sits next to it...

Missing the lock plate.... so no info there , but can you read the markings on the hammer ! ??



worth looking at.....

https://korns.org/gunsmiths/percussion-conversion-3122023/percussion-conversion-3122023.html


Maybe......... ' maybe ' .... a flintlock conversion..... and when it was pressed into service..... too strong a charge , poorly formed ball combined to blow the gun to hell..... rendering it a throw away..... at the time !!

I'm a story teller..... and that kinda fits..... but there could be other explanations...

Seasons Greetings !

 

@komokwa, Thanks for the help on using the site and thoughts about the gun. I also looked closely at the hammer and couldn’t find any markings or numbers. I haven’t attempted to clean anything which might provide better clarity on any markings if they exist. I’ll keep looking and update if I come across any new information. Thanks again.

 

I have to say from the outset that I know next to nothing about firearms, that said two things spring to mind, possibly three......................

How many indiginous Indians were literate at this point........ Were they even allowed firearms I wonder. Also I wonder at the provenance of this piece, because the nail decoration seems more North African to me.
All the above, must be taken with a couple of pounds of salt, as as I said, my knowedge of firearms is scant in the extreme.