“The Native people were awestruck when they first saw firearms carried by the white man and how destructive they were” Terpning says. “The early muskets were smooth bore flintlocks and, for their time, were very effective although such a weapon took time to re-load as opposed to the use of the bow and arrows.

“To the first Americans, they seemed to be sticks that shot fire out of one end. These two Blackfoot warriors are engaged in a small skirmish with their enemy, possibly the Flatheads. This area is near the Swan River in the Flathead Valley of Montana.”