My mentor, from back in ancient times, was an old time gun collector. Began collecting in the 30’s. He had two original Hawken pieces. One was a fullstock J&S Hawken rifle. Approx. .54 calibre best I remember. And it had that same triggerguard with that unique spur. And as best as I remember it was brass. He picked up the rifle sometime in the 1950’s. I thought he sold that rifle to the old time collector of some note, Victor Frederick of Austin Tx. ( now we could talk all day about Mr. Frederick and his collection).
The other Hawken piece that Don had was a family heirloom. A J&S marked pistol. Very unique as it was only like .38 calibre. And it had the old saw type handle. General consensus on the pistol was that it may have not actually been a Hawken built piece, but perhaps an import from either back east or across the pond that they ended up marking.
Don (Morgan was his surname) was a Clark descendant with family in both Tennessee and Missouri. I remember getting to handle both guns while they were still in his possession. I believe the pistol is still in the family.
Another note on that rifle. Back in the day that rifle was disassembled and several of the local shooters made casting of the furniture. Occasionally one of their old rifles would show up around. Last one I saw came into the shop I was working at about 10 years ago. Owners daughter brought it in. It was a good example of repurposed parts that was common in the 1960’s. Had an original old barrel, that had been recut and marked by Judge H E Resley of Ft. Stockton Tx. Had and original H. E. Leman perc. lock. New maple fullstock, And one of those Hawken spurred triggerguards!
When I asked the lady her fathers name, I did remember him from my youth and was able to share some stories. I was a junior member of the old Austin Tx. Powderhorn Club then. Would have been 1971-72.