Mountain Men and Life in the Rocky
Subject Guide
Mountain West
Malachite’s Big Hole
English Rifles:
These rifles were originally manufactured in England, for the American Fur Company, the Northwest Company and other British traders in the Old Northwest, generally that region west and north of the Great Lakes. The style was later copied by American gun makers. The design of this rifle was strongly influenced by British military weapons, with a heavy military style patch-box, and a large lock. Barrel length was often 42-44 inches, and the gun was commonly manufactured as a 32 gauge (53 caliber). Jim Bridger is known to have carried an English Rifle for a time.