Ted Fellows 50 Hawken Barrel tang not seating?

Motojc · Apr 3, 2019

Hi everyone, I have an issue with my 50 Hawken. I took the barrel off the stock ( I've done this before with no issues for deep cleaning etc.) And when I reassembled it the rear tang that is counter sunk into the stock sits up 1/8 inch or so. Not sure what to do here as the point is sharp and I would like it to be more flush. My fathers rock smasher with the same barrel from Ted is almost flush as a comparison. Thank you all for the help here.
Jim C.

bang · Apr 3, 2019

Pictures would be nice.

Eric Krewson · Apr 3, 2019

Sounds like your inlet swelled a bit, blacken your tang with candle soot and try to reinstall it, see if there are any black marks on the sides of the inlet that would indicate a tight spot. Put the barrel all the way back and drop the tang straight in or you might get a false reading. Turn you gun upside down over a table and tap the butt upward with your hand to free the barrel.

Sidney Smith · Apr 4, 2019

Has the tang screw threads on the trigger plate stripped a bit, thus not allowing the tang screw to tighten the tang down enough? Sometimes the tang will have a bit of spring to it once the screw pressure is released, causing it to sit a bit proud of the wood, although 1/8th inch seems a bit much.

Motojc · Apr 6, 2019

No stripping of screws. Gun is mint. Sorry it took awhile to get pics. Thanks for every bodies help here. Well get r figured out.

Hawgeye · Apr 6, 2019

Looks as if the tang is bent. It looks to be seated correctly at the screw and forward to the breech-plug. That can sometimes happen if the tang is thin and the barrel is removed by lifting from the muzzle end. That puts a lot of pressure against the seated tang.You might try lightly tapping the tang down while out of the rifle and reassembling it till it has a fit you can live with.

Zonie · Apr 6, 2019

I think Hawgeye hit the nail on the head.

The tang looks like it got bent up a bit when the barrel was removed.
It looks like the bend was right at the place where the tang screw goes thru it. This doesn't surprise me. There is very little metal at that place what with the hole and the countersink being there.

Removing the tang from the stock and supporting it just forward of the bolt hole, a few light taps with a small hammer will probably bend it back to its original shape and it will fit into the stock just like it did before it got bent.

Motojc · Apr 7, 2019

It totally makes sense that I bent the tang taking the barrel out. I'll check out the clearances and tap it down before installing. Thank you for the help. Pops will be happy since he may use it on his ML Cow Elk tag this fall.

Black Hand · Apr 7, 2019

Hawgeye said:
Looks as if the tang is bent. It looks to be seated correctly at the screw and forward to the breech-plug. That can sometimes happen if the tang is thin and the barrel is removed by lifting from the muzzle end. That puts a lot of pressure against the seated tang.You might try lightly tapping the tang down while out of the rifle and reassembling it till it has a fit you can live with.

I agree.
Be careful when you bend it back (out of the rifle), the area at the hole is weaker and can break. Go slow and don't bend near the hole...

SDSmlf · Apr 7, 2019

Zonie said:
I think Hawgeye hit the nail on the head.

The tang looks like it got bent up a bit when the barrel was removed.
It looks like the bend was right at the place where the tang screw goes thru it. This doesn't surprise me. There is very little metal at that place what with the hole and the countersink being there.

Removing the tang from the stock and supporting it just forward of the bolt hole, a few light taps with a small hammer will probably bend it back to its original shape and it will fit into the stock just like it did before it got bent.

Learned the hard way how to bend things. I now put ‘knockout holes’ under tangs and locks of all builds. Use a common nail (6d and 10d) and clearance hole in the stock. I grind or file the business end of the nails flat, and add a couple notches so I also have a knapping tool. A couple of light taps from the opposite side.....

Here is a photo of some 10d ones.

Motojc · Apr 15, 2019

Thank you all! I took the barrel out the correct way and tapped the tang down. After a couple of test fittings it now lays flush. Now to blow the cobwebs out for this falls elk hunt. Cheers to a great forum/ resource.- Jim

bang · Apr 15, 2019

I would gain some clearance around tang slot till the barrel lifts out without binding.

Urban Coyote · Sep 30, 2021

I ran across this old post about a "Ted Fellowes Hawken". Not that is too important but the pictures are not of a Hawken but it does appear to be one of Ted's Beaver Lodge rifles, nice guns. I ordered my first one, a .45 half stock, from Ted in 1980 and to this day it's one of my favorites. Over the years Ted built several other rifles for me and I treasure each one.

Nazgul58 · Sep 30, 2021

I went to college in Seattle, U of W in the late 70's. I went to Ted's house/shop and hung around a few times. Very interesting to talk too. Never could afford a rifle, would be neat to have one.

Don

Notchy Bob · Sep 30, 2021

Urban Coyote said:
I ran across this old post about a "Ted Fellowes Hawken". Not that is too important but the pictures are not of a Hawken but it does appear to be one of Ted's Beaver Lodge rifles, nice guns. I ordered my first one, a .45 half stock, from Ted in 1980 and to this day it's one of my favorites. Over the years Ted built several other rifles for me and I treasure each one.

I lived in the wrong part of the country to have met Mr. Fellowes, but I remember reading about him and his Beaver Lodge Rifles back in the day. I believe these were reasonably priced, traditionally styled, nice quality rifles for the folks who didn't need or couldn't afford a full-on custom job, but wanted something a cut above the mass-produced guns that were beginning to flood the market. I think the Green River Forge "Astorian" Rifles were intended for the same niche.

I don't think I've ever seen and I've definitely never handled a Beaver Lodge Rifle. I would appreciate seeing some photos, if you don't mind.

Much obliged,

Notchy Bob

Urban Coyote · Oct 1, 2021

I'll try to put some Beaver Lodge rifle photos in the next couple of days under a new post.

Motojc · Jan 17, 2022

Pops handed this photo to me the other day. It's Ted Fellows handing my father my rifle. Taken in Ted's basement.

Mina · Aug 29, 2023

Nazgul58 said:
I went to college in Seattle, U of W in the late 70's. I went to Ted's house/shop and hung around a few times. Very interesting to talk too. Never could afford a rifle, would be neat to have one.

Don

In 1988 Ted built for me a completely custom-- all American made parts-- 54 caliber two wedge Hawkins Plains Rifle. He warned me it would be heavy. 11 pounds and worth every cent and ounce. I had to have the owner of Stone Mountain Armory (in Georgia) stabilize the rust process on the barrel and complete the lock plate cosmetics. I did a lot of research to ask for the measurements and particulars as close as possible to an original. Ted followed my directions exactly and shipped it in a nailed together near coffin crate via Pony Express to Decatur, GA. My son has it now.

Ted Fellows 50 Hawken Barrel tang not seating?

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