6/8/2022 – Frontier Firearms from the Lifetime Collection of Larry Ness

.60 caliber. 34.5″ three stage octagon to round barrel with baluster turned rings at the transitions. SN: NSN. Bright finish, brass and iron furniture, beech stock. Flat, pointed lock in original flint and marked “R. ASHMORE” with the Hudson’s Bay Company’s “{Tombstone Fox/EB}” trade mark under the unbridled, fenced rounded iron pan. Lock with original flat, faceted swan-neck cock. Barrel marked with the Hudson’s Bay Co. trademark and “LONDON”, along with London commercial proof marks and the “*/RW” of London gunmaker Richard Wilson (I) who worked circa 1725-1766 and became a contractor to the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1730 which he remained through 1756. Standard Northwest trade gun features include the “double ring” barrel, over sized iron triggerguard, nailed flat brass buttplate, raised carved moldings to the rear of the tang, lock mortise and counterpane and of course the ubiquitous serpent side plate. Ribbed brass ramrod thimbles retain an old, brass tipped ramrod. A very crisp example of a Hudon’s Bay Company Northwest trade gun.