Since the late 17th century English makers supplied Indians in the New World with weapons according to general specifications but by the 19th century these weapons became standardized and were known as trade guns. The lock plate has "PARKER/FIELD & Co./1863" stamped vertically behind the hammer. The upper left barrel flat is stamped with the number "24" which is flanked by British crown/letter proofs. The three screw side plate is brass and shaped like a mythical serpent/dragon known as the Hudson's Bay Fuke, a common ornament of 19th century trade muskets. The ramrod pipes and flat buttplate are also brass and the trigger guard is iron. Mounted on a smooth full length straight grip stock with a five screw flat buttplate. The wooden ramrod has a brass tip. It is believed that this trade gun has not been shortened. According to author Charles Hanson in his book THE NORTHWEST GUN, trade guns with 30 inch barrels are known to have been manufactured (see page 27) and a 30 inch barrel trade gun by Parker Field & Co. is pictured on page 60. Parker Field & Co. was a highly respected British company which had many government contracts. Parker was a long established gun maker and Field was an armourer to the Honourable Artillery Company before the two gun makers started Parker Field & Co.

Fair. The barrel, action and trigger guard have an attractive smooth crisp dark patina showing flash pitting. The brass has an aged patina. The revarnished stock is about good with some slivers of wood missing from the forearm and a number of pressure dents and scratches. Mechanically fine.