Lot 29

Tack and Rawhide Decorated Tabatiere Conversion "Hunter" Shotgun

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Tack and Rawhide Decorated Tabatiere Conversion "Hunter" Shotgun

Estimate: $3,500 - $5,500

Starting Bid: $3,000

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
June 27, 2026 5:00 PM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Tack and Rawhide Decorated Belgian Tabatiere Conversion 10 Gauge "Hunter" Shotgun/Blanket Gun This short shotgun started life as a percussion rifle-musket and was then converted using the French Tabatiere system developed in the mid-1860s. The design is similar to the British Snider conversion. Many obsolete rifle-muskets got a second life through these conversions, and this example got a third life after the Franco-Prussian War as one of the "Zulu" or in this case "HUNTER" marked shotguns sold in the late 19th century through various firms, including E. C. Meacham Arms Co. in St. Louis and Sears, Roebuck & Co. These utilitarian shotguns were an affordable option for families trying to start a new life in the West. This shotgun got a fourth life after being shortened to make it handier and likely to make it easier to hide as a "blanket gun". It is decorated with brass tacks and rawhide wrap in the fashion of the Plains Indians such as the Lakota in the late 19th century. Blanket guns could be concealed under a blanket keeping them at the ready in case of conflict or concealed to smuggle in weapons when people were supposed to be disarmed. Short shotguns were also handy for use on horseback whether running buffalo or chasing down Custer and the 7th Cavalry.

Manufacturer: European

Model: Single Shot

BBL: 18 inch round

Stock: walnut

Gauge: 10

Finish: bright

Serial NumberNSN

Class: Antique

  • Condition: In attractive as found relic condition with breaks and extensive wear. Mechanically does not function.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000