How Made This "Hawken"

[bullshot]

I have asked several knowledgeable gunsmiths etc if they knew the maker of this rifle. None have.
"Made by W.A.S. Joe Lynn O'Brien 1980 DEC" is engraved on the toe plate.
Work

manship is excellent.

 

[bullshot]

Dang it. I meant WHO made this rifle. Forgot to add that the stock is ash. I find it attractive if not traditional.

 

[Semisane]

HOW/WHO. At this point what difference does it make?

I can't guess as to what the W.A.S. stands for? It appears to have been made by W.A.S. for Joe O'brien, not made by O'Brien.

 

[Phil Coffins]

It does look well built but “ WAS“isn’t much to work with, there’s been hundreds of people making rifles in the last 50 years and many more on this forum today. Might be easier to find Joe O’Brien and ask him.

 

[Daveboone]

1980 DEC....In NY I think Department of Environmental Conservation (but maybe not...) a graduation/ certification/ retirement gift . It looks like a fine arm to me.

 

[bullshot]

It does look well built but “ WAS“isn’t much to work with, there’s been hundreds of people making rifles in the last 50 years and many more on this forum today. Might be easier to find Joe O’Brien and ask him.

Good suggestion, Phil

 

[bullshot]

1980 DEC....In NY I think Department of Environmental Conservation (but maybe not...) a graduation/ certification/ retirement gift . It looks like a fine arm to me.

Good a guess as any! I got it out of AZ which doesn't discount your suggestion. Who ever built it liked to stamp things in a professional manner. Stampings out of sight as well as the ones in the photo. I forget where but I think the lock, one of the sights.

 

[TC Tommy]

JOE LYNN O'BRIEN, could that be a woman's name? Do you know what caliber it is? Dimensions, lop, weight.

 

[Dobegrant]

Can’t help with I’d, but it is a very nice looking rifle

 

[Steve Martin]

Very nice looking rifle!

 

[bullshot]

JOE LYNN O'BRIEN, could that be a woman's name? Do you know what caliber it is? Dimensions, lop, weight.

33" Barrel Douglas 1" straight .54. Stamped petitely and sharply (ie professionally). Stamped "6 G R Douglas .54" on top flat.
LOP to set trigger 14.5" Maybe Joe Lynn is a woman basketball player.
Lock inside is marked "Ron Long Denver 6" Again professionally stamped. Hammer "6". Bridle "6".
Weight circa 9.5lbs. Really a handy gun. I have shot it but not enough to work up a load. Top of my list if the snow-mud dries up. Late spring here.
Again expertly built rifle. Thus my idle curiosity.

I misspoke. Interior of lockplate is stamped "Long's Locks Denver 6". Another senior moment....

 

[TC Tommy]

OK bullshot, it was just a thought. After the dimensions you just added, if that was made for a woman,
I wouldn't want her to get mad at me. These things hurt.

 

[Jim K]

That ash makes a pretty cool looking stock. Nice rifle!

 

[bullshot]

That ash makes a pretty cool looking stock. Nice rifle!

The americanpioneervideo.com Contemporary KY Rifles has a stunning ash stocked rifle with iron hardware. I cant recall the builder right off.

 

[necchi]

I'm thinkin that all those "6" s, mean it's W.A.S.`s - 6th build.
I'll bet there's a list for #6 that has all the info about supply house(s) and cost for each item that was used to make it,,

Might be a good name for the rifle,, "Olde #6"

 

[bullshot]

I'm thinkin that all those "6" s, mean it's W.A.S.`s - 6th build.
I'll bet there's a list for #6 that has all the info about supply house(s) and cost for each item that was used to make it,,

Might be a good name for the rifle,, "Olde #6"

Sounds more like a bourbon.

 

[Phil Coffins]

The breech and tang is a Griffen Tool which is an excellent breech. The hole from the nipple to the large powder chamber is drilled at just the right angle to direct the cap flash to the main charge in as short a route as possible. I have one on my rifle that I built around 1980.

 

[bullshot]

The breech and tang is a Griffen Tool which is an excellent breech. The hole from the nipple to the large powder chamber is drilled at just the right angle to direct the cap flash to the main charge in as short a route as possible. I have one on my rifle that I built around 1980.

Thanks for that. I have thought the breech was a Griffen. The rifle in question, however, doesn't like regular CCI caps. After 2 or 3 shots no ignition. A noted maker of Hawkens suggested I use RWS 1075 caps which by luck I had. That cured the ignition problem. Its my understanding the RWS have more flash than some other brands. So maybe not all Griffen breeches were created equal....really wish mine liked regular caps.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Interesting, I have used any brand of cap with equal success.
Image-8 by Oliver Sudden, on Flickr

 

[bullshot]

Nice pile of guns. I am a bit disappointed regarding rifle being finicky about caps.