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Kinda late getting into the game (I'm 68) but I recently picked up this 50 caliber "Jaegerish" rifle. Overall length is about 43", barrel 25 inches. With set trigger setup. Still acquiring all the accouterments and have not yet even fired the damn thing. But,...getting close. Most of the accessories are just plain store bought and will be replaced by more artistic pieces.
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Would like to to pick up a woven strap for the main powder horn as well as a antler powder measure. Brass items will move to the range box. Walnut shot blocks are on my Christmas list.
 
My first was a Fox Ridge custom TC Hawken .50 flinter I bought when I got out of college, around '82 or so. Sheet fire, that's 42 years ago - I'm getting old.

Ignorant, I didn't know what I had, nor did I know how to load it or shoot it or clean it. But I had watched Jerimiah Johnson pretty closely 🤣 . I do remember marveling at the curly wood when it was on the shelf at the gun store, compared to the other TC Hawkens.

I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn with it, because I was on my own and didn't know what I was doing. I traded it off; I wonder if it still exists and gets shot now and then?

Yellowhammer out.
 
My first was a rifle I put together from a bunch of parts that I purchased from different parts catalogs in the early 60's. I shot it for a short time then sold it and bought some more parts and made another - and so on.
The Hawken style rifle below is my first rifle I built for me in 1968. This rifle was totally handmade except for the barrel, breach plug and trigger guard.
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My first muzzle loading rifle was a Zoli Zouave that I ordered from the back of a gun magazine. Of course, in order to shoot the darn thing, I had to get a Lee pot and a Lee 500 grain musket bullet mold. It was all new to me, and I had a lot of fun. Thanks for bringing back some good memories!
Mark
 
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