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Gun Powder
This was a valuable commodity for the people at Bent's Fort
whose lives and livelihood were greatly dependent on firearms
The variety of firearms at Bent's Fort would rival the variety of people found there.
People from different background, professions, and economic status
would bring guns with the latest technology and the old tride and true
there were guns for the indian trade
slender graceful long rifles
stouter large caliber plains rifles
double-barrel rifles
pistols, revolvers
derringers, pepper boxes, military surplus, and the halls breech loader
There were two types of firing mechanisms
the latest technology using more efficient cap lock
The older technology was a flint lock
Flint locks have been around in various forms for about 150 years
This is a Northwest trade gun made primarly for the indian trade
It would cost the Cheyenne 6-to-10 buffalo robes
They were smooth bore most were 24 gauge
and could fire a round lead ball for large game or shot for ducks, geese, and small animals
Now I'm going to show you how to load and fire this Northwest trade gun
First you want to pour a measured powder charge down the barrel
I'm going to shoot a round lead ball
This ball is slightly undersized
If I put it in the barrel if will fall to the bottom
and if I tip the gun over it will fall out
To make it fit tight I'll put a thin cloth patch over the barrel
and then force the ball in
Now I'm going to use a wiping stick to seat that ball all the way down to the powder charge
Now I need to prime that weapon
To Prime this weapon you put some gun powder in the pan
close the battery, bring it to full ***
when i pull the trigger, the *** moves forward, the flint and the jaws hits the battery
scrapping it making sparks while simultaneously opening up exposing the powder
The sparks set off the flash, the flash goes through the hole, into the main charge, and sets it off
This happens very fast, much faster than I explained it
Let me show you
Lets burn some powder
On a cap lock, this percussion cap goes on the tube
This cap contains fulminated mercury
and when struck by that hammer it makes a small explosion
that flashes to the main powder charge and sets off the gun
To the visitors and employers here firearms were one of their most important tools
They were vital for trade with the Cheyenne and Araphoe and other tribes
and they were essential for safety and procurement of food
Hunters were paid a dollar a day to ride out of the fort in search of game
According to one accound most meals consisted of buffalo meat either dried or fresh
and they may ride many miles in search of the buffalo heards
An accurate, the reliable rifle would be the number one tool of their trade
Outside the protection of fort wall's
trouble could come on you suddenly at anytime from any direction
Experienced men would always have their weapons within reach
When danger came in a form of human or animal your firearm just might make the difference
Having a reliable weapon and the skills to use it was pretty important out in this wild country
and was critical in the success of Bent's Fort
So when your out there remeber to post good guards, keep your powder dry, and be ready for anything