What is the purpose of a side plate?

[RobD]

So "Barn" gun is not necessarily  a disparaging  term? Or does it totally depend on the context?

only a fool would think the name is disparaging. it has nothing to do with context.  some of the better shooters are "barn guns".  i actually prefer that style and dislike guns with inlays and carvings.  to each their own.

[rollingb]

For me,.... any gun I can "hit the broadside of a barn" with, is a good gun. 

[Ohio Joe]

For me,.... any gun I can "hit the broadside of a barn" with, is a good gun. 

 

This being the case, I have a few "barn" guns.....

[Nessmuk]

And all I own are Barn Guns and I'm  happy with that!

[waksupi]

Here's some the plain jane barn guns I've built. Pretty easy projects. These were just to use up parts in the  shop. I made simple washers for these. I don't know if I can get the pictures to come up, or not.

[Uncle Russ]

Looking good, Rick

 

[ridjrunr]

Barn guns sure do have their own charm, Looks great waksupi

[Ohio Joe]

Barn guns sure do have their own charm, Looks great waksupi

 

All the fancy bling in the world on a muzzleloading firearm won't make it shoot any better then what the owner puts into it with Range time, learning his firearm...

Myself, I've always preferred simplistic's. I'll take that any day over fancy - so's I'm'a guessing I'm just an old barn gun admirer.. 

[RobD]

Barn guns sure do have their own charm, Looks great waksupi

 

All the fancy bling in the world on a muzzleloading firearm won't make it shoot any better then what the owner puts into it with Range time, learning his firearm...

Myself, I've always preferred simplistic's. I'll take that any day over fancy - so's I'm'a guessing I'm just an old barn gun admirer.. 

no truer words have ever been spoken.  newbies to the game, take notice and take heed! 

[Nessmuk]

Couldn't agree more. Practice, practice, practice. Plain and simple.
I'm on my way to the range now with my barn guns.

[Smokey]

Let's not lose the thread, please.  The question was whether sideplates have a purpose.

[RobD]

Let's not lose the thread, please.  The question was whether sideplates have a purpose.

you bring up a good point.  threads should stay on topic as much as possible.   

however, in the matter of this thread i think the OP's question has been more than answered and the resulting chatter is an offshoot of "plate or no-plate".  i think most realize the value of the side plate is mostly aesthetic, and with that in mind the direction of thoughts and comments drifted sideways to the no-plate gun, or barn gun, and there have been some good comments as well as to "what is a barn gun?".  this is all perfectly normal, educational, and helpful, i think.  no?

[rollingb]

Trade gun side plates were important to the indians during the western fur trade era

"Most Indians would not trade for a gun that did not have the serpent plate."

http://thefurtrapper.com/home/indian-trade-guns/

[Ohio Joe]

Great Reference, Rondo 

Most Indians would not trade for a gun that did not have the serpent plate. Hansen states that the earliest record of the Hudson’s Bay gun with its distinctive dragon ornament is dated 1805.

http://thefurtrapper.com/home/indian-trade-guns/

[Uncle Russ]

  "All the fancy bling in the world on a muzzleloading firearm won't make it shoot any better then what the owner puts into it with Range time, learning his firearm..."

Joe, you're spot on...."it ain't so much the arrer as it is the Indian"

Uncle Russ...