Desirable T/C Models

[Urban Coyote]

In your opinion what is the most desirable model of Thompson Center traditional muzzleloader?

 

[1sgt]

The TC Hawken.

 

[deerstalkert]

any one that uses a rock for ignition
after that , any Hawken

 

[MountainSmoke]

Don't rule out the New Englander with the 12 gauge barrel. Harder to find than the hawken in my experience and not usually cheap when you find one. The White Mountain Carbine and PA Hunters are pretty desirable too. Then you have the Seneca in 36. There are a bunch of them really. Kinda hard to pick the most sought after. Might be the hawken after all. That is probably the TC gun that first comes to mind for most folks. There was a lot more of them made than some of the others though. So probably the most popular but depends on who you ask if it's the most desirable.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I like the Hawken and Patriot.

 

[Tasbay]

Took me just shy of 30 years to track down 2 Hawkens here in New Zealand. Have one rock and one cap. Wasn`t looking for any others

 

[Jimbocva]

For me it is the T/C special edition.40 Clealand Match Rifle Hawken that was only offered 2001-2002 and the T/C special edition .50 Silver Elite stainless steel Hawken that was only offered 1996-1998. Both were only available in percussion.

 

[Don Steele]

Based upon the prices I saw at Friendship...It would be the Seneca and Cherokee models in small calibers (.32and .36).

 

[Stony Broke]

I'd have to go with the Hawken. Yes they made a bunch of them, but that was because they were in such demand. Thompson made a large number of other models, but the Hawken was by far the most sought after. It was a well made rifle and very versatile in that it came in both flint and percussion, accessory barrels were made for it as well as sight options. I think if a person were to only own one percussion, the Hawken would take care of their needs. It would be nice if Thompson were to start making them again !

 

[bubba.50]

If the Renegade had been offered with about a 30 to 34 inch barrel and about another inch or so of length of pull it would’ve been just about perfect. Other than that l’d say the very early Hawkens.

 

[nkbj]

The flinter Hawken with the larger barrel channel (as made in .54 caliber).

So much as what Bubba just said, I can put a longer .62 caliber rifled barrel on it.
I have flinters and percussions, .50's, .52's, .54's, .58's. I even have a New Englander set up to use "45-70" type rifle molds, but that .62 Hawken with the 32" long barrel handles and hangs right, the one I like best.

But I'm still threatening to have a P58 type barrel on a New Englander.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

never thought I would see the day where T/C,s would be in such demand..

 

[Grenadier1758]

For me it is the T/C special edition.40 Clealand Match Rifle Hawken that was only offered 2001-2002 and the T/C special edition .50 Silver Elite stainless steel Hawken that was only offered 1996-1998. Both were only available in percussion.

I agree that for me, the T/C 40 caliber Cleland Match Rifle would be the most desirable of the T/C choices.

The best utility would be the T/C New Englander with the 50 caliber and the 12 gauge barrels.

None of them would fall into an investment quality item.

 

[Bassdog1]

I am a Seneca fan and spent a lot of time tracking down a pair in 32 Caliber and 36 Caliber in excellent condition.

 

[user 48679]

Seneca's or Cherokee's are argueably the most valuable, and desirable to someone who wants a (relatively) lightweight (5-1/2lbs) New England style half-stock rifle - These two are .36 & .45 (many years ago, I had a T/C Custom Shop .32 Seneca that I foolishly let go)

 

[Peregrine]

TC flint Hawken was my first ML in the late 80's. I have added several more traditional and HC models since then, but that Hawken won't leave this house while I am still able to shoot it!

 

[1971fx]

I have 2 unfired hawkens one flint and one percussion 45 &50 used shooters and a nos stock assembly with a green m ountain 45 barrel unfired and a 45 patriot pistol along with 25 or so other muzzleloaders

 

[rickpa]

I've had several over the years, got rid of all of them. The only one I thought was worthwhile was the Pa Hunter in flintlock. Got rid of the QLA barrel and replaced it with a regular T/C 1 in 66" barrel and it wasn't too bad. I used it as a loaner for my SIL. After my daughter divorced him, I divorced the TC.

 

[nkbj]

A flinter Renegade rebored to .58, that's the 20th Century "jaeger".

 

[Mulemauler]

For a collector a mint Hawken "Cougar" is a good find. For me a Pennsylvania Flinter with the 32" round ball barrel would be a keeper!