3537 JOSEPH BUCKMASTER CIRCA 1740 BRITISH -TRADE

Category Firearms & Military
Auction Currency USD
Start Price 1,500.00 USD
Estimated at 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
FOWLER. Cal. .73 caliber. NSN. 61.25" overall. 46" round musket barrel. Pictured on pages 60-61 of "The Fur Trade", author Milton Von Damm: "This gun has a lock marked BUCKMASTER. Joseph Buckmaster was a primary gunmaker for the Hudson's Bay company from 1746 to 1764. However, this may be an earlier gun made by his father, William Buckmaster. William's known gun making period was 1716 to 1731. He was a London based gunmaker and did some work for the Board of Ordnance, but not for the Hudson's Bay Company. This gun does not conform to the HBC trade gun patterns either in barrel length, caliber or marks. The stock style is Queen Anne with the graceful drop down curve on the comb of the stock. This is a cheaply manufactured gun without any proof marks or decorations found on fowlers so it might have been made for some independent trader. The lock is made for three screws but is attached with only two which suggest that the gun may have been restocked during it working life. It has a metal ram rod. The trigger guard is attached with nails and is inletted." CONDITION: good to very good. PROVENANCE: Lifelong Collection of author Milton Von Damm. (01-24787/JS). ANTIQUE: $3,000-5,000.