A flintlock trade musket from the 1800s in .58 caliber, with a 36.25-inch smoothbore barrel that is octagonal at the breech and round toward the muzzle, and no serial number. The metal shows an even grey patina. London and private Tower proofs sit on the barrel, a circle-fox mark on the lock plate, and Wheeler & Son behind the hammer; 1828 is stamped twice below the trigger guard, once vertically and once horizontally. The stock was lightly refinished long ago and carries a repair through the lock mortise and wrist. The lock holds at half and full cock.

This gun is for a collector of early American frontier arms. It belonged to Jim Gordon and is pictured on page 91 of his Great Gun Makers of the Early West, Volume I, a published provenance few trade guns can claim. A dated, maker-marked trade musket with a working lock is a display and study piece, not something to hunt with.

Key features

• Flintlock smoothbore, .58 caliber, 36.25-inch barrel
• Barrel marked London with private Tower proofs
• Wheeler & Son and circle-fox lock markings
• 1828 stamped below trigger guard
• Pictured in Great Gun Makers of the Early West

This musket ships to the licensed FFL dealer you choose at checkout, where the federal Form 4473 and background check are completed.