Hawken Worth

[cannonball1]

This Hawken was made at the end of last year. It is a 58 caliber with a 31" barrel, similar to one of Kit Carson's gun and it has had a dozen shots fired thru it so it becomes a used gun. This Rice barrel shoot exceedingly well. The question is could a no-name maker even re-coup the money for the parts listed? What is the guess of the guns worth?

 

[vintovka]

After 57+ years of ML i have not seen many that were nicer than yours. As for value few, if any, really know the value of a dollar right now. As for yours or any this nice its really hard to price, It is definitely worth the sum of the parts.

 

[Gtrubicon]

I wouldn’t be surprised see it North of 2k on track of the wolf.

 

[cannonball1]

If you say so! You're in the know. What I have seen unless the maker has a name, the gun is just worth the parts, if that. I was wondering if that seems to be correct. Certainly this would be an opinion from the forum members who have an idea. Nothing concrete, no experts needed. Just wondering from MLers who have purchased a USED custom ML and I do realize it certainly depends on quality. It is an unspoken fact the the majority of members know the difference.

 

[snakebit]

That's a beauty! I'm not insulted one bit. I didn't notice the time you spent building her on your spreadsheet. That I think would make her a bit more valuable, especially if she shoots half as good as she looks.

 

[Togo]

I don't see the lock and set trigger listed on your spreadsheet. It is a great looking rifle. In any case a rifle is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it.

 

[rich pierce]

For the record I do not find this question insulting in the least.

On consignment it could do quite well but the seller gets a huge chunk of the money. When I started building spec guns in 1980 -1985 I sold several on consignment. It bugged me that the shop got 1/4 to 1/3 of the final price but it kept me building.

There’s one way to find out what you can get and that is to put it up for sale.

Right now the market is influenced by the high quality, ready to assemble kits available and rumored to be forthcoming. Get it while you can. If you want to build for sale, build a lot to develop skill and a name. Everyone with a “name” as a builder earned it the hard way.

The best way to make more out of building Hawken rifles is to accurately recreate specific originals, and not the commonly known ones. But then you’re building 9-12 pound guns! A Hawken rifle that is a compilation or amalgam of what the shop made over the years is to some extent redundant. Cool, but has been done so many times. That creates a price ceiling. The top Hawken builders have an original in their hands at some point in the creation of a new one.

There are a few all-rounder name builders. That used to be common but is rarer now. Many to most specialize now.

 

[William Sublette]

It is absolutely insulting to our forum members that you ask here for valuation..
They are basically asked only for re-sale.
If you have any experience, then you would know that each piece would need physical presentation for any request for value.
Attempting to find value with only photo rep's to use as marketing(?) Seeking a validation to share?
Insulting to any valid experience.

What?

 

[Elkhorse]

Just because your names not Elvis
it don't mean you can't sing!

 

[GANGGREEN]

Absolutely, a well-built muzzleloader should be worth more than the cost of the parts even if the builder isn't known. And I'm not suggesting that this gun wouldn't be worth $1200 (I barely looked at the photos and there are only 2 of them), but I just added up the cost of the parts listed and came to $760 plus $20 freight. It does appear to be well-made at first blush and I don't think anyone who was in the market for a very similar rifle would hesitate to pay a grand or more for it (assuming the parts are/were just under $800).

 

[Duk]

Very nice rifle

 

[Hatchet Jack]

Absolutely beautiful rifle!!! You definitely have a talent.
Only an idiotic A Hole would be insulted by your post.

 

[Sir Boniface Harrison]

It is absolutely insulting to our forum members that you ask here for valuation..
They are basically asked only for re-sale.
If you have any experience, then you would know that each piece would need physical presentation for any request for value.
Attempting to find value with only photo rep's to use as marketing(?) Seeking a validation to share?
Insulting to any valid experience.

Well, I don't feel insulted. I am glad to have seen your rifle, and I would be glad to own this beautiful gun based on the photos posted. I have only a few years experience compared to some people here, so I suppose some would say I have no 'valid experience'. But that is not the issue, no one is here to score points. I reckon I can judge this when compared to, say, a vanilla Investarm Hawken (such as I own). The quality of the wood used in the stock is very apparent. Something like this would happily sell quickly for 1600.00 Euros (1741.00 dollars) over here.

 

[CaptainVane]

I REALLY like how the metal parts are pewter (?). Not brass like most. It's too bad you couldnt make the patch box pewter to match. Therefore the value is only $200. Where do I send the check?

 

[Banjoman]

I am not insulted. That is a beautiful rifle! I see no reason, based on the photos why you couldn’t make a profit.

 

[olskool]

maybe i am missing it. was the lock free?

 

[JohnBHM]

That is only half of the invoice shown for the total $.

 

[Notchy Bob]

I’m not insulted. This is a forum, a place for discussion. If I don’t want to participate I just move on.

I don’t think you could build a proper Hawken without laying out $1,200 or more for parts. Time and labor costs are largely dependent on the builder’s experience and skill, and how much he (or she) values that time. With that said, I think $1,800 - $2,000 is a fair asking price for a proper Hawken that has been test-fired but not really used, from a lesser-known builder. The price goes rapidly north if an established builder (Selb, Browner, Parker…) put his name on it.

Just looking at the two photos of the subject rifle, I think it’s a high quality build. The finish work on the wood and especially the metal is impeccable, the figure in the stock is outstanding, and the carving and inletting are excellent. Rice barrels are top o’the line.

If somebody paid $1,800 for it, regardless of the builder’s name, I think he would be getting a very good deal. $2,000 would be reasonable. Frankly, this particular rifle is probably worth more, but I doubt you would get it.

That’s my strictly amateur, nonprofessional opinion. I am not an expert, by any means.

I would suggest reversing the wedges, if they are not captured. Original Hawken wedges had the heads on the left. I would also be interested in the brand or maker(s) of the lock, triggers, and breech, if you don’t mind sharing that.

That’s a dandy Hawken.

Notchy Bob

 

[rrebuck]

I don't see any reason to be offended either. If someone else does, then take a chill pill. The person is simply asking for info and I don't see any deceptive intention or implication thereof. I also don't see how the hissy fit comment adds any value to this forum.

 

[Mulebrain]

Maker name or not, so much depends on the components, and the quality of the build. Your rifle looks well made, great stock, premium barrel etc. The Hawken is a tough gun to build in it's own right. It's really hard to add all that labor into the selling price. Some things I like about your rifle, and some things I don't. That is just personal preference however. Anyhow that is a darn nice gun! I would throw an estimate in a PM, but would need to know more.