TRYON TRADE RIFLE

TRYON TRADE RIFLE

01-24793
Cal. .38 caliber
NSN

61″ overall. 45″ heavy octagonal barrel. 10.5 pounds. Pictured and described on pages 108 and 109 in “The Fur Trade”, author Milton von Damm: “This is a unique Indian rifle made by George Tryon with a lock marked J. Henry. A gunmakers mark on the barrel is usually a better indicator of who made the gun than a lock mark. Also, the shape of the comb on the stock is more of a Philadelphia shape than the Henry Lancaster pattern rifles made in Boulton.

The rifle is a classic reflection of the close working relationship between the two gunmaker friends. Southern tribes had a preference for heavy rifles, so this may have been a Tryon contract rifle for the Choctaws or Shawnees which would date the rifle in the early 1830’s or the 1837 contract.

The long octagon barrel is marked TRYON PHILA near the buckhorn sight and 8 tiny stars stamped on the top flat. The large, probably imported, lock is rounded at the tail and has a roller bearing. The lock is in original condition except for a working life exterior spring replacement.

PROVENANCE: from The Lifelong Collection of author Milton Von Damm. (01-24793/JS).

STATUS: ANTIQUE