The Chief's Grade Trade Gun is not a dolled up Northwest gun. British Chief’s Guns are of a specific pattern, primarily a British Fowler and was given to Indian chiefs by leaders of the British military beginning before the war of 1812 and continuing, by some accounts, as late as 1830. The Chief's Grade was considered a "give-away" gun by the British, but it was a highly prized and respected firearm by the Indians.
These guns were very dependable and rugged and many originals remain in good condition today. Close examination of originals and discussion with experts revealed that the Chief's Grade differed from the common Trade Gun in these respects: The stock is not as bulky and has a finer profile. There is about an inch more drop at the heel. All of the furniture is brass and lightly engraved. The butt plate is cast with a tang that extends up the comb of the stock for 3 inches. There are two ramrod pipes plus an entry pipe with a small tailpiece or “skirt” soldered on. The side plate is flat, not serpent shaped and is decorated with an engraved bow and arrows (see "Side Plates"). The thumbpiece was an oval shape, usually silver, with an Indian chief and a bow and quiver incorporated into the design. They used a medium sized, finely finished flintlock. It was decorated with a boar's head and hunting horn on the tail of the lock plate. These markings also appear on the top of the butt plate.
We’re constantly learning about the old guns that we love as new information becomes available. One good source for the student trade gun researcher is the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron, NE. Their Quarterly magazine alone is well worth the price of membership. See our links page for contact information.
