Mountain Men and Life in the Rocky

Subject Guide

Home

Mountain West

Malachite’s Big Hole

New English Rifle:

This style of rifle was developed by J. Henry in 1834.  It was a stoutly-stocked, flintlock, furnished with either an English or American patch-box. It had a strong, brash scroll trigger guard similar in appearance to the Hawken trigger guard.  In later years it would come to be called the "Scroll Guard" rifle.  It was a popular style amongst traders and trappers in the late 1830's,  and apparently sold briskly amongst the tribes along the frontier.  This rifle had a barrel length of generally 40-44 inches, and was generally available as 32 or 35 gauge (guage/caliber conversion chart).  

Back to Guns