May 17, 2022 Early Arms & Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/17/2022
One of 16 contractors hired by the British Board of Ordnance during the War of 1812, these Wheeler and Son flintlock rifles were manufactured for trade with friendly Native Americans and were produced between 1813-1816. The three-stage barrel has a silver front spider sight. On the top flat it is marked with the Northwest Trade symbol in a circle and is marked "LONDON". There are two Birmingham proofs on the left side of the breech. The slightly convex lockplate is engraved with double line borders and is stamped in the center with the Northwest Trade symbol. The tail is stamped "WHEELER/ & SON". The furniture includes a brass butplate and a crudely cast brass serpent sideplate. The trigger guard is iron and the ramrod ferrules are multi-ringed. There is brass tack decoration on both sides of the buttstock and both sides of the forend. CONDITION: Barrel retains a dark heavy brown patina, with some corrosion at the breech, especially at the touch hole. Touch hole has been rebushed. Lock functions properly and mechanism is strong. Markings are very good. Lock retains much of its original finish, now turning to plum. Rearmost lock bolt is a replacement. Iron trigger guard has a heavy brown patina. Rear tang screws are replacements. Three brass tacks along the right side of the forend are absent. Complete with its original horn-tipped wooden ramrod. Muzzle shows a bend. Brass retains a pleasing mustard and dark mustard patina. The rearmost lock bolt and the screw at the back of the sideplate are replacements. Walnut stock is very good, showing some scattered minor storage marks and age cracks. An attractive and decorative trade gun. DMG
Caliber/Bore
.67 Smoothbore
Manufacturer
Wheeler & Son