A flintlock trade gun of the Chief's Grade pattern, made by Morley in the early 1800s. It is a .66 caliber gun with a 37-inch round barrel. The lock plate reads G Morley, the barrel is marked London and carries Birmingham proof marks, and a German silver chief's head is set into the wrist. The supplier rates overall condition as good.

The metal has gone to a dull grey patina with pin-prick oxidation, and the wood, otherwise good, shows an old repaired crack on the right side above the lock plate. The action still works correctly. Guns of this grade were well regarded by Native Americans of the period, and that history, rather than field use, is the reason to own one. Muzzleloaders are lawful for Montana game animals, but a two-hundred-year-old trade gun with a repaired stock is a collector's flintlock, not a season opener.

Key features

• .66 caliber flintlock, 37-inch round barrel
• Lock marked G Morley, barrel marked London
• Birmingham proof marks on barrel
• German silver chief's head at the wrist
• Old repaired crack above the lock plate

It ships to the Montana FFL dealer you choose, who releases it to you after the paperwork.