Fullstock Caplock Hawken rifle

[LaBonte]

RussT
Here's the original - also known as the Kennett Hawken it is a late (circa 1852-53) Sam Hawken with a schnobble shaped fore end cap, a swamped barrel (IIRC 39" long??), oval patchbox, and beaver tail cheekpiece. Note the falt to the wrist triggerguard - this used to be considered a sign of an early rifle (pre-1842 or so), but current info has that style as being later. This rifle is a contemporary of the Smithsonian Hawken. A full write up was done on it in one of the Museum of the Fur Trade quarterlys some time back.

For an early full-stock I would look at the so-called Dunham rifle in Baird's book - this is one of the earliest extant examples - note the early triggerguard with the full-circle scroll, the early two-piece forged buttplate, and the stock style is slimmer, closer to their earlier Maryland styled guns.

Another early one to consider can be seen here: http://www.bbhc.org/collections/bbhc/CFM_ObjectPage.cfm?museum=CFM&VarObjectKey=22284
It is now a halfstock, but was cut down at some point in time from an original barrel length of 40-42" with full-stock - probably at the same time the silver work was added and the triggerguard may be a replacement. Note that it does not have the extra long tang joined to the trigger bar via two bolts, and the cheekpiece is an odd ball - it and the patchbox are almost identical to the Va Manufactory Rifles that Jake worked on at Harper's Ferry. All in all this is one of the earliest Hawken's still extant.

 

[rkmeyer]

Just maybe Bozemen broke Cover's gun so Tom took things into his own hands and did the deed. :shake:
What about DNA or finger prints, John's wife needs answers. Story at eleven. :haha:
Dusty :wink:

 

[oneeye]

Very cool rifle and an intriguing story. Makes me want an accurate, full-stock Hawken.
Dan

 

I've got a nice Sharon fullstock in .58 that I will be listing soon if your interested. Good gun and it has a new green mtn barrel on it installed by Bill Young, MN. I took a bear with it and the story was published in MB and Blackpowder Mag years ago. It was the one where the bear climbed up the tree and sniffed my armpit.

It could be made into a real dandy with a little stock shaping as it could lose a few pounds because there is too much meat on it. It was built by Judge Resley of Ft. Stockton Texas for Ray Duncan and it has a date on it too from the 70's I think.

Sharon made some good full stock replicas for sure.

Billy

 

[BobKrohn]

Auction took place this evening.
The rifle went for $45,000 + 10% Buyer Premium.
No, I was not a bidder.

I brought my camera to take pictures but the SOB camera wasn't working right so just have to be satisfied with the "official" ones.
The auction house allows you to handle the guns so I was happy that I was able to shoulder a real Hawken at least once in my life. They were even going to allow me to take the gun out into the sunlight to photograph. Pretty decent people.
I will never buy a Canon camera again.

Interesting thing I noticed up close was that right below the brass "patch" at the wrist, on the trigger guard at the back, there has been a brazed repair. Apparently the wood break also broke the metal. I can now see it in the picture.

 

[Mulebrain]

Thanks for all the info!!!!

Did the hunting bag and all go with the sale?

MB

 

[BobKrohn]

Here are (poor) pics of the left and top side of the rifle.
This wasn't shown in original post.
The feature that may be of interest is the cheek rest.

The accoutrements shown with the rifle were not included in the price. Those items and many others (horns, knifes, etc.)were auctioned separately. Don't think they were historically connected to the gun.

They had beautiful two volume printed catalogs available free at the door. These will provide hours of enjoyment. Many, many rare and interesting guns.

They told me that a list of final bid amounts on all items will be available in a month or two.


P.S. They DO charge state sales tax! 8.75%
that's almost $4,000! Well, I guess Gov Arnold can use the dough.