Hudson’s Bay Company Indian Trade Fusil (AS31)

Hudson’s Bay Company Indian Trade Fusil. Made circa 1879 to 1920 by Isaac Holus and Sons. A similar example is pictured in Milton Von Damn book, The Fur trade, pages 54 and 55. This Fusil’s overall length is 48”. The 32¼” octagon to round percussion .56 caliber barrel has a fair smooth bore with rust and pitting. All metal has a gray patina with moderate pitting throughout. The barrel proofs are visible but are unreadable (Birmingham proofs and 26 for bore size). The lock is marked “I. Hollis & Sons” below the bolster and marker to Her Majesty’s War Department in a circle at the tail. The stock is good with scattered use dents and dings. The action functions correctly. This late Hudson’s Bay Company Indian trade Fusil in original percussion were used by Northwest Canadian Indians into the 20th century. The lock is an Enfield percussion musket type. The barrel is octagon for the first 8”, then round.; The three tear-drop designs at the rear of the lock, side plate, and barrel tang are well defined. The brass furniture includes two ferrule sharped ramrod thimbles, a serpent side plate with two lock screw and wood screw at the tail. The trigger guard is iron and has a deep bow. The thick brass butt plate is fastened by five screws. It has a dent on the right side, and a chip at the butt tang. This Fusil appears to have been shortened about 4” during its period of use. This is a better than average late original percussion Hudson’s Bay Company Indian trade Fusil.