This is a good example of a Northwest gun converted the percussion cap firing system. It has most of the standard features of a Northwest gun including the overall lightweight construction, oversized trigger guard (often thought to be for winter use but some period records indicate this is from a preference for using two fingers to pull the trigger), and the classic serpent side plate. Two "IA" marks (one plain and one under a fox) are present ahead of the hammer on the lock plate with "J.A. PETRY/1854" marked vertically behind the hammer. Petry was a Belgian arms maker active in at least the 1840s-1850s. The barrel is marked "LONDON", with a Liege proof and a second "fox/IA" mark on the top with two additional proofs on the left flat. It is not uncommon to see barrels that were spuriously marked "LONDON" in the period. During the period, many manufacturers utilized spurious or similar markings so that their guns were not easily distinguished from those made by the London and Birmingham gun makers. This is in part why there are a great deal of variety in the fox emblems. The "IA" markings are thought to stand for "Inspected for Astor" and thus may relate to the American Fur Company founded by John Jacob Astor. By the 1850s, this firm was nearly non-existent although it nearly held a monopoly on the fur trade in the first part of the 19th century. It has a blade front sight and includes a hickory ramrod.

Fair. The barrel, lock, and trigger guard have a dark brown patina. There is some pitting especially on the right barrel flat and the lock plate near the breech. The hammer has some damage to the striking end. The brass components have a generally dark aged patina. There are some hammering marks on the reattached buttplate and rough marks on the ends of the side plate. The stock is good as repaired with the carving behind the upper tang and the plates still prominent, some scratches and dings throughout, some chips including one on the right side of the forend and one at the junction with the barrel tang, and some cracks on the left side of the butt. The action only holds at half-cock but is functional. Ironically, this trade gun is in above average condition given that it undoubtedly saw hard Indian use during the period.