A. J. Plate Percussion Side by Side Shotgun

San Francisco became a gun manufacturing center during the years of the Gold Rush.

Circa 1850 Plate (U.S.) Gold Rush" Percussion Shotgun (muzzle-loading/ black powder/ shot ammunition) Prior to 1635, gunsmithing centers in North America had originated in Spanish Mexico. Then Boston, New York, Richmond, and other English colonial cities commenced after 1635, with Quebec and Montreal not far behind. Next, Philadelphia and surrounding counties became makers of "Kentucky" and "Tennessee" guns. These cities were followed by St. Louis and New Orleans, the former making "Plains" rifles. Finally, after California's Gold Rush, San Francisco became a center. This award-winning specimen comes from San Francisco. It was produced by the firm of A. J. Plate and represents Gold Rush California in the 1850s. When the frontier moved west, gun manufacturing moved with it." --Dr. William L. Roberts, THE AMERICAN LIBERTY COLLECTION; #61