Antique trigger guard ID?

DAA

DAA

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Found another gun related item with my metal detector that I have not been able to ID. I'm open to guesses, educated opinions or physic readings. I do realize, the possible age of this, that one offs were common and I'll never find an exact match to anything. But, whatcha think?

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It's brass. No markings of any sort. My wild guess at this point is muzzle loader. Closest thing I've found, but it's definitely not the same is an original Hawkens.

Hawken.jpg


Anything I've found so far with that rest for the middle finger has been musket or muzzle loading rifle. The site I found it, does not necessarily narrow the age that much. It was "inhabited" from roughly the 1880's to 1920s. But it's also right on an alternate overland route to the main California trail that was in steady if not heavy use throughout the 1850's. I've found US coins from the 1880's, 90's and early '00's right near it. And a bunch of 1860's-1900's era spent ammo and harmonica parts and a padlock and suspender clips and pocket watch parts and such.

So, it could be old as dirt. Or almost as old as dirt. Either still hanging around in the 1890's or so, or it could have been left by California bound emigrants in Conestogas. Will never know!

- DAA
 
It is a rather unique shape. It looks like the back end of it broke off so it might have been discarded when replaced. I looked at some of the replica trigger guards at "Track of the Wolf" but didn't see any thing similar, a few with the finger hook but none that swoop back toward the trigger. You might never find the origin as a lot of brass furniture on muzzle loaders were cast by the maker.
 
Some better pictures. Does look handmade, with that off center screw hole. And yeah, I kind of doubt I'll ever find a match.

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- DAA
 
I dont know how post this as an image but clicking on the link will get you there.

Tryon was a family of gun makers from Philidelphia that made a lot of parts for the gun trade and manufactured muzzleloading trade rifles. I kept thinking that it looked familiar. About 50 years ago I was going to build a MZL rifle for my EX and it was going to be a Tryon or Leman replica. I went as far as getting all the parts listed and plans but got a divorce instead. This is close and I'm sure there were a lot of variations.

 
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That is very close. I'm guessing the one I have is from the same general time period and style. Thanks AWS!

- DAA
 
The hook at the rear is a little strange looking and no screw hole unless its there and just not showing up in the picture. Pretty cool find anyway.

I just scrolled up and saw the other picture you posted. Kinda explains the 'hook" I was referring to. Maybe the rear has broken off leaving just the hook.
 
I would think a French gun of some type the forward end of it looks like a French fleur-de-lis, wonder if some one turned it into a digging tool. Neat fine
 
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