Hatfield rifle

[Bob Stager]

I just picked up a Hatfield 50 cal from the mid 80’s in like new condition and don’t know anything about them. I was hoping someone could pass on any info on to me. Thanks. Bob

 

[tenngun]

I loved em, they were always on my roundtoit list, but something else always came along

 

[Kansas Jake]

Back when they came out they were one of the nicest off the shelf rifles you could buy.

 

[Critter Getter]

I have two......both .50 cal and both percussion..........the early ones were produced in St Joe, MO. by Ted Hatfield. Mine shoot incredibly well!! They both have a slow twist barrel so shooting prb is what i shoot with 60
grains of powder. They were made in both percussion and flintlock. If I remember right when I bought mine new in the mid 1980’s they were made in 3 grads of wood. My grade one cost $400 back then. They were considered a semi-custom made rifle. I was in St Joe on business and stopped at their location and Ted Hatfield gave my wife and I a tour of his facility. Was a very nice guy and I most remember his stock duplicating machine and how it could make like 6 stocks at a time if indeed I am remembering that correctly. Sometime later in the years of production his quality went down from what I heard and so the early guns are much more sought after today than the later ones. They came in calibers ranging from .32-.50 I believe and the model I have is called their “Squirrel Rifle”. There is a great article that I have found by searching the internet on Ted and his guns. He also offered a half stock and a modern side by side shotgun. All were beautiful then. The Squirrel rifle is very close to the Frontier Rifle or the Blue Ridge produces now by Pedersoli. I love mine and will be passing those down when I’m done and gone!! Greg

 

[GANGGREEN]

I've never owned a Hatfield, but I did own a Blue Ridge rifle and it was certainly fine for what it was and what I had in it. I sold it because I was getting to have too many custom rifles and just didn't see the need for a gun that I'd likely not ever shoot again. I am very much interested in finding a nicer Hatfield squirrel rifle in flintlock though and will likely be putting several guns up for sale or trade soon with that purpose in mind.

Does anyone know if the L&R replacement flintlocks will fit these rifles and is the switch from percussion to flint as simple as swapping out the locks and installing a touch hole? My Blue Ridge was a flintlock and I don't know that I've really seen one of the percussion guns up close and personal.

By the way, Mr. Stager, I sent you a PM.

 

[Critter Getter]

Muzzle Blasts Online,Vol. 3, No. 1.,;The Hatfield Kentucky Rifle Here is an interesting read on the Hatfield........Greg

 

[andy52]

I have one of there halfstock rifles good looking and shooting rifle. It's kinda' like a cross between a hawken and a southern rifle. From the lock forward it looks like a hawken, the butt has more of a drop like a southern rifle. Mines a .54 cal.

 

[Bob Stager]

All I know about this one is that it was bought in 1986. There’s no serial number on it. It’s in extremely good condition. I really would have rather have had a flintlock. I traded an unmentionable gun for it and if I decide it’s not for me I can always trade it towards a flintlock

 

[GANGGREEN]

Some excellent information there, thanks for posting.

Muzzle Blasts Online,Vol. 3, No. 1.,;The Hatfield Kentucky Rifle Here is an interesting read on the Hatfield........Greg

 

[GANGGREEN]

According to the article posted above, you could purchase a replacement lock for it and turn it into a flintlock easily for about $200. No idea if it's worth that expense to you or not. They're not a custom rifle, but I like the idea of the Hatfields, especially the squirrel rifles and was reasonably happy with my Cabelas Blue Ridge rifle, which was a cheaper knock off of the Hatfield.

All I know about this one is that it was bought in 1986. There’s no serial number on it. It’s in extremely good condition. I really would have rather have had a flintlock. I traded an unmentionable gun for it and if I decide it’s not for me I can always trade it towards a flintlock

 

[Bob Stager]

Critter Getter Thanks for the heads up on the muzzle blast article. There was some good info there. Ganggreen I answered you PM. Thanks. Bob

 

[vintovka]

I have roughly half a hatfield. The .50 barrel alone showed up show long ago at a show and has slowly being morphed into a half stock mongrel with a CVA Mtn rifle stock and lock and some hardware, TC patchbox, Unknown set triggers and guard and many hand made parts. Will post when finished (if ever),

 

[RonRC]

According to the article posted above, you could purchase a replacement lock for it and turn it into a flintlock easily for about $200. No idea if it's worth that expense to you or not. They're not a custom rifle, but I like the idea of the Hatfields, especially the squirrel rifles and was reasonably happy with my Cabelas Blue Ridge rifle, which was a cheaper knock off of the Hatfield.

Yes, Sir, you can turn it into a flintlock. I purchased an L&R flint lock for my Hatfield that was issued as a percussion. The lock was styled after an early Ketland. The L&R fits, but not as tightly as the original percussion lock. There is just a little more space between the lock and the wood. Also, the L&R sticks out more proudly from the stock. The original percussion lock is more aesthetically pleasing than the after-market flint lock. The L&R flint lock takes a 3/4" flint.
The barrel with the flash hole that comes with the lock clogs with burnt powder very quickly with my rifle. I had to put a wire through the flash hole after almost every shot.
The percussion lock:

The L&R flint lock:

 

[GANGGREEN]

Thanks Ron, some good information. Personally, I'd probably drill out that touch-hole a bit, which might rectify most of your problem. I think you could also polish and blue/grey/brown the lock if you chose. Sitting it slightly deeper into the lock mortise should be easy enough to do, but I don't think it's necessary based on your photo. I've never case hardened anything, but if I do purchase a Hatfield and convert to flintlock, I'd be inclined to either learn how to do it or send it off to someone who can because I agree with you, the case hardened percussion lock looks sweet in those guns.

 

[RedA]

I too read this article with interest as I now have a 50 cal Hatfield Kentucky percussion style rifle. - see photos
My father ordered it new, as you see it, back in the 1990's. I recall him saying he purchased it direct from Hatfield company. He was under the impression that it was made or at least assembled by the resurrected Hatfield company
Are there serial numbers on these? There seems to be some engraving on the top of the barrel - left of the hammer. Mine has a tang rear peep sight.
A local muzzleloader shop told me that all of these were made by Pedersoli but that info doesn't jive with the article.
Any input would be appreciated.

 

[cositrike]

All I know about this one is that it was bought in 1986. There’s no serial number on it. It’s in extremely good condition. I really would have rather have had a flintlock. I traded an unmentionable gun for it and if I decide it’s not for me I can always trade it towards a flintlock

There should be a serial number somewhere. I have a .50 cal flinter. A semi custom job by Hatfield . Mine is 4** last two numbers left off for security

 

[RedA]

Hi Bob,
Where on the gun is the serial number located?
Do you know when yours was made?

 

[RedA]

Cositrike - sorry about that, all I saw was Bob.
Any info you can give me about the Hatfield would be appreciated.
I think it may be possible the serial number is on top of the barrel, underneath the long tang peep sight.

My local muzzleloader shop said that if it was made by Perdesoli, their name would be "ground off" the underside of the barrel.
Do you know how to take the gun barrel and lock off the stock so I can check this? Is this something I need to have a gunsmith do?
I'm usually quite capable on these types of things.

 

[GANGGREEN]

If it's like my old Blue Ridge rifle (and I think it is), you take the barrel off by unscrewing the barrel screws from the underside of the ramrod thimbles and through them. Then unscrew the tang and the barrel comes off, easy peasy.

Cositrike - sorry about that, all I saw was Bob.
Any info you can give me about the Hatfield would be appreciated.
I think it may be possible the serial number is on top of the barrel, underneath the long tang peep sight.

My local muzzleloader shop said that if it was made by Perdesoli, their name would be "ground off" the underside of the barrel.
Do you know how to take the gun barrel and lock off the stock so I can check this? Is this something I need to have a gunsmith do?
I'm usually quite capable on these types of things.

 

[Critter Getter]

Yes that is how you remove the barrel.........I do not believe that either of my Hatfield’s have serial numbers. Greg