Hawken First Build - Thank you

[wirehairman]

Wow! Your rifle turned out exceptionally well.

This site has definitely given me the bug to build a rifle, but these "first time" posts keep setting the bar higher and higher. :surrender:

 

[faw3]

They are a BEAR to build, and first build :shake: wow you done really good guy! :thumbsup: FRED :hatsoff:

 

[Goldhunter]

WOW! That's all I can say is, WOW! :bow: :bow: I really like that contrast between the grey and the brown. What did you use for stain/ finish?

 

[Herb]

Two weeks ago I got a Kit Carson .54 Hawken "kit" from Track of the Wolf with the fancy maple stock and it is $597.54. I presume the Bridger Hawken is the same price. The stocks are inlet for a percussion lock. If you really wanted a halfstock flintlock, you could get a blank not inletted for lock, trigger or tang ($100 in curly maple in their catalog compared to $140 for the inletted stock- which is now $199. Check their web site for current prices). And the L&R flintlock might be $50 more than the Jim Bridger Hawken caplock. They have a Hawken fullstock available in flint the old catalog price was $570.53.

 

[Vostok]

Mike;

Boy I wish I could screw up a rifle like that :bow: You did an excellent job building that. I especially like the touch you did on the lockplate, that kind of personalization gives a rifle like this alot of character.

I have considered doing this rifle as well. I have done some kits before, but nothing like this. Can you tell me some of the things that were more difficult for you given this was your first. Also if you don't mind, how much was the total bill for everything you needed to build this.

Thanks again for sharing!

 

[grey8833]

Fisher King:
Stock is M4 maple, so Track of the Wolf wants $250 for it, 100 less for plain maple, which is more Hawken PC anyway. Barrel was $275 for the Goodoien, the Colerain was 100 less, (calaber does not matter in the cost) but hey, how many of these was I going to own. All told, around 900 in parts (but I purchased a lot of labor - like underrib thimbles, sight dovetails and breech plug....and some 200 hours to build. Hawken's are generally percussion, but the nice thing about building it is you can do anything you want.

Mike F

 

[grey8833]

Styr:

The inlet on the tapered barrel with the tang is a tough one. Denfinatly epoxy the tang to the barrel (superglue did not do it for me) and inlet as a unit. Be very careful filing the tang to the breech (hook) - I made a boo boo there and had to add a shim to the hook (which no one can see in any case). I also used plastic wrap and plaster of paris to make a mold of the tang / breech area so I could get a good idea of the bend required to make the tang fit the inlet on the kit (at least to get close so I could inlet the tang with a chisel). Then take your time with that razor sharp 1/4 inch inletting chisel and work it in. Slow is better here. Second issue is the ramrod hole, entry thimble, nose cap and underrib. They all line up on the same axis. Mount the barrel first and work from the line on the underrib to adjusting the fit on the ram rod hole (dowel with sand paper wrapped on it is a good tool). Other than those two spots, just go slow.

Total bill - well I purchased a drill press (100)- recommended - and a bunch of tools to do the kit, so I would have to say around 1200 with the labor I also paid for. Parts and labor were about 900. Special maple and barrel, underrib tapped, thimbles mounted, breech plug mounted, sight slots milled.

Mike F

 

[grey8833]

Goldhunter:
The stain was LMF American Walnut, cut with four parts thinner, two coats. The finish is per the Long Rifle book recommended in the kit. One coat of thinned Permalyn sealer (hint from this forum) two coats regular thinner, four coats of hand rubbed Permalyn finish with steel wool between coats two and three and three and four and one after four, finish with one coat of sealer (drys slower) for the final finish.

Mike F