Northwest Trade Gun Made by Cam Pitkethley and Donated for the 2010 CLA Live Auction

This contemporary version of a Barnett musket made by Cam Pitkethley, (Sudbury, Ontario) is typical of the guns made available for trade by fur trading companies in northern North America during the late 18^th. and early 19^th centuries, most notably by the Northwest Fur Company and, after 1821, by the Hudson’s Bay Company. However, the American Fur Company, the Mackinaw Company, and the U.S. Indian Trade Office also traded Barnett muskets to Native Americans.

Trade guns like this Barnett musket were typically referred to as “Northwest guns,” “Mackinaw guns,” or “Hudson’s Bay fukes.” Less expensive than guns destined for Europeans or American buyers, these Indian trade guns were lightweight, had barrels from 30” to 48””and designed to fire a shot weighing less than an ounce. They have a large trigger guard allowing the gun to be used with gloves or mittens during the coldest months of the year. Typically, Barnett muskets were sold with a sideplate embossed with a dragon ornament that decorated the side of the gun opposite of the locking mechanism, offering Indians an easily recognizable mark of authenticity.

This trade gun is a faithful copy of an original. It feels great in the hand and has the ambience of something produced in the period. Cameron Pitkethley is a Canadian gun maker well known for his quality work.

The CLA Live Auction will be on Friday, August 20th at 4:00 PM.

Copy by Mel Hankla with photos by Ric Lambert.