One point of this discovery is in the form of a "motion picture mentality" which seems to convey the image across to individuals that all
Mountain Men rode horses and carried "Hawken, .50cal." rifles exclusively. The truth is that, when rivers were faced the Mountain Man adapted
to the conditions and either traveled up, down, or across them in pretty much a methodical fashion in that they built "bullboats" or rafts or, as in the
case of the Hunt Party, they constructed dugouts. Horses were either traded, herded, or scattered depending upon the situation at the time. In reality,
thousands of miles of the west was traveled by these hardy men-on foot-after having lost their horses to Indian raids, drought, starvation (in which case
horse flesh beat hunger) or any number of other occurances. Hugh Glass, Jed Smith, John Colter and others like them actually trekked through some of the most dangerous
and desolate of our vast western lands on FOOT. Mile long caravans traveling to the high country from the East, were planned months or years in advance
by men who knew the lay of the land and could avoid dangerous river crossings or skirt high mountains in order to travel to Rondevous to trade with the trapper for the goods they carried. Researching the hard facts brings about certain conclusions: the mountain man, like the majority of folks today, got by primarily with what was on hand at a given time, and though
they had wants and wishes, the truth is that not every trapper carried a "genuine Hawken" or rode a Nez Perce Pony, HELL, that stuff cost real "bucks" and were simply beyond
the reach of most beaver trappers. A fine horse for transportation could cost a seasons wages, and the choice of a firearm was the difference in having coffee and tobacco, powder and lead or
any amount of the supplies necessary to maintain life in a harsh environment. Life in the Rockies was HARD and these were hard men. Today when we read of a murder or killing where the killer used a gun or a knife we find it appalling and brutal.
These people carried single shot firearms for personal defense against preditory mammals, both hairy and smooth skinned, and if that one shot wasn't enough to kill or turn an
attack then a tomahawk, camp axe, or skinnig knife took up the defense. The field or camp ground following a failed or even successful (depending upon perception) attempt to raid by an Indian war party or sinister group upon another
was most surely a ghastly and offensive place to be in the 18th or 19th century. WAGH!!!
Below there are images of Hawkens and Plains Rifles, as well as a cross section of a number of firearms which WERE in the Rockies prior to and after the period of the "Mountain Man."
The drawings are a collection which are not intended to be the definitative answer to the question of firearms in the mountains during the fur trade. Simply put, these images
are a generic representation of the guns of the Rocky Mountains during the time period of 1790 thru 1840 and as such, I have hopefully rendered illustrations which will be interpretated
as "TYPES" of guns and not "THE GUN" of the time frame in question. Special attention was placed more on the general pattern of a cross section of style rather than to a particular firearm.
Elaborate inlay work was avoided or added as to the whim of the artist in preference to a distinguishing characteristic of certain arms inorder to demonstrate a certain style or type of
gun. I hope you find these images useful and educational as well as interesting.
I remain, your most respectful and obedient servent,
Pitwe-owa 
If you find the gifs. on this page are something you would like to have
on your pages I would be quite flattered. I do ask though, that if you do use these
gifs. please place the banner below somewhere on your page and link it back to my page. As well,
don't be bashful-let me know where you have used these illustrations so that I can come
by for a look and perhaps send others along to visit your pages also.
Thanks, Pitwe-owa
Where Buckskinning is a matter of "vision."
All these imags have a transparent frame and when used will allow
the background to show wherever they are used. Be sure and send me an
E-mail from the link below or go to my home page and sign my GuestBook;
let me know what you think of my work.
This is a representation of the rifle which was lost by the Hunt Party
It is an example of a "LONG RIFLE" sometimes refered to as a "KENTUCKY RIFLE."
Lighter than the military arms of the day, this firearm certainly got it's
title dure to the length of the barrel. Lengths for barrels have been documented for
this rifle at 40"-47". Most were embelished with half-moon stocks, cheek plates, engravings,
inlays, and brass patchboxes. Curley Maple or other beautiful woods were used in the manufacturing
of the stocks for these rifles and they were truly crafted as art by their creators.
"BROWN BESS" was a name given to this class of muzzleloader by members in the service of
"His Britannic Majesty" due to the artificial oxidation practice of the day which turned the barrel and workings of this firearm brown.
As the "browning" wore off the barrel and lock would shine like any other metal when kept clean and in constant use. This, .69-.78cal. (usually .75cal. in America) smoothbore
was manufactured in London from 1660 thru the Revolutionary War and after in several forms. Barrel lengths varied from a "carbine" carried by mounted troops
upwards to 48" handled by infantry. This is also one of the first military arms which was actually fitted with a "ring" or "socket" bayonet of triangular blade
shape. Fitted with the bayonet, weighing more than 10lbs., with a length of around 75" or so this was undoubtly a weapon useful to keep an opponent at "arms length."
Another "longrifle" which was in common use in the Rockies during the time period in question is the U.S. Military Model 1790. It is listed separately from the previous arm due
to two distinct characteristics: one is the military designation which gave it definite single barrel length of 42" and second, it was listed on the manifast and documented in the journals
of both Lewis & Clark during their Expedition into the Rockies in 1804-07. A rifle company was created by the infant Congress in 1792 and this is presumedly the rifle used by those troops.
Another firearm used by the members of the Lewis & Clark Expedition was the U.S. Military Model 1795. With a barrel of 44" this "standard issue" smoothbore was a very prominent weapon
during the time frame of the "Mountaim Man" and sending an almost full ounce of soft lead with accuracy up to 50 or 60yrds. this musket was capble of bringing down Elk or Deer size animals for the
"lunchroom." This particular arm is interesting in that "slings and swivels" were called for by Capt. Lewis in a time when slinging a weapon was not a common practice. It would be my guess that the
far sighted Lewis was planning on having to WALK some.
A very important addition to the arsonal of the above mentioned trek is this: the U.S. Military Model 1803. Brand new at the time of the Expedition, this rifle got a real test when it traveled
to the Pacific. Another distinction of this particular arm is that it was the rifle presented to Indians along the route. Three documented 1803's were presented: one to Chief Twisted Hair and one each to the two Indian guides
who had lead the group through the mountains, all were members of the Nez Perce Tribe.
Several characteristics of the 1803 make it a good choice for someone looking to blame the "mountain rifle" on a particular firearm: the half-stock, relatively short barrel, large caliber, and iron rib from tail pipe to muzzle
somehow bring to mind the later weapons more closely related to the vision or the notion of a "real Mountain Man" for most of the less informed.
The "fusee" or light fusil was another long arm to make the travel of the West with Lewis & Clark. Light weight and smoothbore this weapon is not to be taken for granted. It can be loaded with either a single
ball or it can be made to pack quite a punch with small shot. In taking small game by the-less than- "crack shot" this 34" barreled piece is a dandy. Those of the mountains were of both the "elegant" and simple trade
variety. Considered to be very durable and having the attributes of being shorter and lighter in weight than most other muskets along with it's game getting qualities this firearm when used in regard to it's limitations was and still is a very satisfactory
"scattergun."
Sporting a 30" barrel, large trigger guard, and ful stock the H.E. Leman Trade Gun was America's answer to the monopoly the British had in the market of trade guns. Because of his long time association with the government (through the Indian Office) Leman
is probably one of the best known of the manufacturers of the firearm filling the class of "Trade Gun" in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. Differing proof marks and the change from a "smooth skinned dragon" to a "scaled" one for a side plate are the common characteristics
to search for on this piece. As well as, the "fox in the circle" or the "tombstone fox" are signs to separate the North West Company trade guns from and the Hudson's Bay Company's guns.
Another trade gun builder of the time was J.J. Henry. Generally having a 35"-40" barrel these guns tend to be somewhat "muzzle heavy" yet, extremely durable. The model shown has had a conversion done from the earlier flintlock firing
mechanism to the later precussion cap model (note the three tell-tale screws holes in the lockplate) and during the time in question it is very hard to tell a Henry and Leman of this type apart that the Henry was a general "trade gun" and the Leman
was mostly an Indian Office rifle actually makes little difference today.
The "Plains Rifle" was made in the image of the "Kentucky" yet it was generally massive in structure, had a 34"-36" barrel and
was offered in large cailbers. Later as the popularity grew a half-stock was adopted. A number of Pennsylvania and Midwest makers produced this type rifle
in the 1820's and 30's. Rugged and well balanced the "plains rifle" was not such a far leap from the US 1803, but it was considered a vast improvement at the time.
This is an illustration of the rifle displayed in the Montana Historical Society Museum and is listed as being "Jim Bridger's Hawken Plains Rifle." A typical Hawken Plains rifle of the late mountain man period had: a heavy 34" octagional barrel, low sights, set trigger,
precussion lock with a "snail" basket enclosing the nipple, half-stock, ramrod under a metal rib, crescent-shaped butt plate on a sturdy stock, and in about .53cal.. This was considered to be the ultra "Mountain-Man"gun. By all rights it probably is-if one is riding and not walking
very far with it as the 10.5 to 12lbs. can get pretty heavy on even a short trek. Capable of dropping a buffalo in it's tracks of knocking a "Grizzly" off it's feet with one well placed shot, this was the most prized possessions of every trapper who could afford it. Maybe that's why it came
in dead last here??
If you liked these gifs., saved some of them and have decided to use them on your pages, that's GREAT. But for some,
pictures aren't enough. Try the Muzzleloader Links, maybe that will help.
This page created by:"Pitwe-owa"
BEST VIEWED WITH NAVIGATOR 3.0
If you have a question or comment then send me a note.
BACK TO HOMEPAGE or visit my NEXT PAGE
This page hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page
