How Made This "Hawken"

[user 48679]

Coulda been custom built for you, provided you change your name to Joe Lynn O'Brien.

BTW, There was a fella with the first name Lynn that served with me (USAF) in the early 1960's

 

[Grenadier1758]

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.

I would think the problem lies more with the nipple than the breech. One of the stainless steel Hot Shot or Spitfire nipples might solve the problem.

 

[TC Tommy]

I just picked up a couple of nipples for musket caps on my TCs. Just for another cap option.

 

[TC Tommy]

That is a very good looking rifle.

 

[Billy Boy]

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.

Maybe it identifies as a 6’6” jock…..

 

[bullshot]

I would think the problem lies more with the nipple than the breech. One of the stainless steel Hot Shot or Spitfire nipples might solve the problem.

Thanks. Good idea. I actually bought one but forgot t try it.....

 

[Tenring]

I have a neighbor that lives across the back field from me and he has an Ash Tree that fell from one of those big tornado type storms that went through Pa. Last year and he has done nothing with it I wonder what kinda stock I could derive from it, maybe cut a chunk and send it to Kibler and let him do his magic on it. with Ash I would want a very dark stain because of the lack of any type of curls or burl markings just my thoughts.

 

[bullshot]

I have a neighbor that lives across the back field from me and he has an Ash Tree that fell from one of those big tornado type storms that went through Pa. Last year and he has done nothing with it I wonder what kinda stock I could derive from it, maybe cut a chunk and send it to Kibler and let him do his magic on it. with Ash I would want a very dark stain because of the lack of any type of curls or burl markings just my thoughts.

Using your neighbors tree might work. Others on this forum could better advise you on the process (sawing it, seasoning etc). Bethatasitmay, , white ash can have a good bit of character. Chuck Edwards has an ash stocked rifle on Vol. 3. Contemporary Kentucky Rifles (Americanpioneervideo.com) that has a lot of figure. It is stained fairly dark which may in fact hide some of the character of that piece of wood. Not being critical of Chuck's rifle and would love to own it!!!

The more I look at my 'ash Hawken' the less sure I am that it is ash. If its not ash I have no idea what it is. Next time I am in Grand Junction I am taking the rifle to Intermountain Hardwoods (?) and see what they think it is.

Just looked at Track's archives and searched for 'ash rifle stocks'. Was shocked to see 2 pages of rifles stocked in ash. A lot of it curly ash.

 

[TC Tommy]

Hickory?

 

[springfield art]

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.
WorkView attachment 210581View attachment 210583View attachment 210582View attachment 210580manship is excellent.

Handsome, and look at that lockplate inletting!

 

[springfield art]

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

Not getting into any duels with you anytime soon!

 

[Frosty861]

Two things. First, give the barrel a thorough cleaning, including judicious use of a pipe cleaner in the flash channel.

Second, I found this listing, it may be of use.

Joe Lynn O'Brien​

Birth19 Dec 1952 - Monahans, Ward, Texas, USA
DeathUnknown - null
MotherUnavailable
FatherLysle Obrien

Nice rifle!

Frosty

 

[springfield art]

The wealth of helpful information on this site is amazing!

 

[bullshot]

Hickory?

Hickory? Hmmm. I looked at 8 axe handles I have on hand. Good bit of variation between them. A Pulaski and a hatchet had wood with some of the characteristics of the grain in the rifle stock. Alone, not proof stock is hickory, at least to my untrained eye. Never heard of a hickory stock. Might be "fun" to inlet parts.

 

[bullshot]

Two things. First, give the barrel a thorough cleaning, including judicious use of a pipe cleaner in the flash channel.

Second, I found this listing, it may be of use.

Joe Lynn O'Brien​

Birth19 Dec 1952 - Monahans, Ward, Texas, USA
DeathUnknown - null
MotherUnavailable
FatherLysle Obrien

Nice rifle!

Frosty

Thanks. Will check out. You are a better detective than I.

 

[beardedhorse]

Griffith made three styles of breech plugs. A straight hooked flint breech. A cap lock hooked breech with a snail, also straight, not slanted. And a simple breech plug that was an extension of the tang. They were cast but the tangs were soft enough to cold bend. The first mentioned is on my convertible flint/percussion rifle. Don't think Griffith Tool Company is still around but see some breech plugs in catalogs that look similar, possibly by a new owner.
Ron Long locks and G. R. Douglas muzzle loading barrels were also highest quality components in their day and no longer being made. Consider it a collector's rifle that shoots, **** or hammer on the lock definitely one of Ron's. Sorry we can't identity the maker. Is the DEC for December?
Could you look in a national directory to find someone named Joe Lynn O'Brien who was alive in 1980? It would be plain dumb luck if someone with the initials W. A. S. ordered directly from Douglas Barrel Company or Ron Long but their records not likely available. That would be a super "long" shot. I swore by RWS Dynamit Nobel 1075 percussion caps since 1974 but availability and cost has me using CCI's now.

 

[bullshot]

Griffith made three styles of breech plugs. A straight hooked flint breech. A cap lock hooked breech with a snail, also straight, not slanted. And a simple breech plug that was an extension of the tang. They were cast but the tangs were soft enough to cold bend. The first mentioned is on my convertible flint/percussion rifle. Don't think Griffith Tool Company is still around but see some breech plugs in catalogs that look similar, possibly by a new owner.
Ron Long locks and G. R. Douglas muzzle loading barrels were also highest quality components in their day and no longer being made. Consider it a collector's rifle that shoots, **** or hammer on the lock definitely one of Ron's. Sorry we can't identity the maker. Is the DEC for December?
Could you look in a national directory to find someone named Joe Lynn O'Brien who was alive in 1980? It would be plain dumb luck if someone with the initials W. A. S. ordered directly from Douglas Barrel Company or Ron Long but their records not likely available. That would be a super "long" shot. I swore by RWS Dynamit Nobel 1075 percussion caps since 1974 but availability and cost has me using CCI's now.

Thanks for your comments. 'Lynn O'Brian' seems a popular name on west side of Texas.

 

[BadDaditood]

Here’s my WAG:
Could it be a Green River Rifle Works?
I heard the employees were allowed to build rifles in their spare time- maybe WAS worked there and built it for Big Joe Lynn?

 

[Bill M.]

I am certainly going with hickory or pecan as the wood instead of ash. The gun looks well made and unique. I like it.

 

[bullshot]

I am certainly going with hickory or pecan as the wood instead of ash. The gun looks well made and unique. I like it.

Pecan? Interesting. Once had a yard full of pecan trees but know little of its properties as lumber. They stood up to Hurricane Hugo. Sorta self pruning in high wind.