Guns I've made

[Tom A Hawk]

This .54 half stock Hawken was my first dabble into gun making. Kit from TOW. Made the horn and bag also. Have taken several deer with this one. According to the date stamp it was 1995. Tempest Fugit...

I was so thrilled with the Hawken I set out soon after to make a flintlock. Didn't quite like the available patch box designs, so cut this one out of sheet brass with a jewels hand saw. Got it about 90% complete and then somehow got side tracked ...for 22 years! First test fire was on New Years Day 2018.

We're on a roll now. This .54 full stock Hawken only took five months to complete.

 

[smo]

Looks good!

I’m only in the third year of my .32 cal Flintlock build, so I’ve got a ways too go! LOL

When I got in the BP game in the 70’s , I was told too go slow and steady , I’ve got the slow part down pat, now too work on the steady part....

Good looking guns TAH!

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Looks good!

I’m only in the third year of my .32 cal Flintlock build, so I’ve got a ways too go! LOL

When I got in the BP game in the 70’s , I was told too go slow and steady , I’ve got the slow part down pat, now too work on the steady part....

Good looking guns TAH!

Its good to go slow. Lots of new skills to acquire. Just remember, you can always take off a little more wood - but putting it back is big challenge.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

You definitely know what you are doing.

 

[smo]

Its good to go slow. Lots of new skills to acquire. Just remember, you can always take off a little more wood - but putting it back is big challenge.

Been there , done that already!

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

Very nice work ! Beautiful in fact.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Thanks Boys!
“I can live for two months on a good compliment.” —Mark Twain ...

 

[hanshi]

You sure do exceptional work, my friend.

 

[Artie Peltier]

Works of art! You are a true craftsman!

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Thank you. The Lancaster was my first attempt at scroll carving and wire inlay. I researched quite a bit on tools, techniques and designs, then took the plunge. It was a bit intimidating at first and likely why it lingered in my closet for 22 years. I'm reasonably happy with the results. But I am most pleased with the way it shoots. I spent a lot of time on the trigger installation. I wanted a single trigger that I could use effectively when hunting and while wearing gloves. The book, Recreating The American Longrifle By Buchele, Shumway and Alexander was very helpful. I ended up with a very crisp 3 1/2 lb. break with no take up, nor creep.

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

You need to knock off all that excess wood out from under that buttplate, all you need is edge contact. Probably save you two months right there.

 

[Cowboy]

Beautiful guns my friend!

Can I have one? lol

Respectfully, Cowboy

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Can I have one? lol

Respectfully, Cowboy[/QUOTE]
You bet. You can have a photo of which ever one you want.

 

[Steve Milbocker]

Beautiful rifles. Excellent craftsmanship!

 

[steve free]

Those are some really nice rifles! Keep it up. You are doing a great job.

 

[Tom A Hawk]

Thank you. I'm saving pennies for a new build haven't yet decided on the type. In the mean time, I'm restoring my old Zouave which has been neglected for a few decades. This was my HS graduation present and very first BP gun. Have finished the metal parts and working on the stock now. Before and after photos to follow when done.

 

[davidmc62]

looking forward to it. :thumbs up:

 

[Shiloh1944]

Wow! I am fairly new at rifle kits. I bought a TOTW Kit Carson Hawken kit from and individual that originally purchased it and then decided they wanted to do something different. It is a great kit but it has been eating my lunch. I read after I purchased it that it should not be your first kit but should be about your third kit to build. You sure blew that theory out the window, but for me it is a different case. It has been a bugger for me. I have made several mistakes and had to reorder a few parts I ruined. Thankfully nothing too expensive yet. I will say I have a very bad equilibrium problem that really hinders me when I try to do detailed work. I sure hope I am able to do the kit justice and the rifle will shoot well after finished. Only time will tell. My hooked tang and breach does not fit nearly as seamlessly as yours does in the photo. It is seamless on the bottom but has a bit of a gap on the top.

I am envious! Amazing work!

 

[Tom A Hawk]

My hooked tang and breach does not fit nearly as seamlessly as yours does in the photo. It is seamless on the bottom but has a bit of a gap on the top.

I am envious! Amazing work!

Thanks. I filed to achieve a good breach to tang fit, then use hot melt archery adhesive Ferr-L-Tight to hold the pieces together for draw filing. I ruined and repaired/replaced a few components also. The first build is quite a learning experience. I found I had to quadruple check for repeatable alignments and the rigidness of holding fixtures before doing any drilling operations.

 

[Shiloh1944]

Edited post with a quote in next post.