3556 AMERICAN FUR COMPANY BRITISH IMPORTED INDIAN TRADE

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,000.00 USD
Estimated at 2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
GUN. Cal. .60 caliber. NSN. 48" overall. 33 octagonal to round barrel. Picture and described on pages 160-161 in "The Fur Trade" by author Milton Von Damm: "This is a full stock original flintlock Indian Trade Fusil that was made for the American Fur Company and marked W. Chance & Son. The Chance family was a major supplier of Indian Chief and common Indian fusils for American traders. One major client was The American Fur Company. This gun's IA mark in the tombstone fox mark on the barrel and lock, along with the two screw buttplate, fits unique AFC specifications. The American Fur Company's New York office continued to purchase furs and other products in exchange for trade goods to several Traders after the 1834 sale of their Western Department to Pratt, Chouteau & Co. The AFC ceased operations in 1845 due to bankruptcy. Chouteau's company purchased Chance guns until 1858 and retained the AFC characteristics. The two screw flintlock is marked W CHANCE & SON on the lock tail. The top flat of the barrel is marked LONDON in front of the tombstone fox over IA. The side flat has Birmingham proof marks. The stock is in very good condition but the wrist has a leather repair of 4 inches, shrunken and fastened with brass tacks. The replacement ramrod is metal with a button end and is secured with two barrel thimbles. CONDITION: good to very good. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of author Milton Von Damm. (01-24760/JS). ANTIQUE. $2,000-3,000.