Investarms Gemmer Hawken build

[TDM]

This is a .50 flintlock that I started about 3 months ago and finished 3 weeks ago. Bought the kit from Muzzel-Loaders.com and I watched the "I love muzzleloading" YouTube series on his build before and during mine. I replaced the Investarms lock with a L&R RPL lock. I used Laurel Mountain Forge browning for the barrel and hardware and DGW antique stain for the wood. This was my 2nd kit build so I'm still very much a novice. And not sure how the photos will present since this is my first attempt. I plan on trying her out this weekend, weather permitting.

 

[TDM]

More early shots.

 

[TDM]

More.

 

[TDM]

Getting towards the end, still bright metal.

 

[TDM]

More.

 

[TDM]

Did some more carving and cutting around the the lock.

 

[TDM]

Getting toward the end now. I was delayed finishing when the nose cap I was polishing spun out of my vise and disappeared somewhere in my shop, never to be seen since. I ordered a nickel silver replacement from TOW and waited for it to arrive. I know everyone has different taste in finishing, but I like an aged look. I went for that in the stock and in the metal. The barrel is heavily browned, but though I used the Laurel Mountain on the lock and other hardware I brought them back to varying degrees of bright with steel wool.

 

[Trapper Scott]

Awesome job! Lets us know how that lock performs.

 

[TDM]

I'm pleased with how it turned out overall. But the truth will be in how it shoots. I did a lot of tuning on the lock and trigger assembly which was a great learning experience. Wish I had better photos, but didn't think I'd be showing them to anyone at the time. It fits me well and feels solid. And again, it looks worn, kinda like me.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

It looks like you are doing a very good job of inletting. Especially the buttplate. No gaps like a lot of beginners leave. My only suggestion would be to make the lock panels a little thinner and a more concave curve from the wrist into a thinner comb nose. The stock stain looks very nice. These are just my ideas of course and you can take them for what they're worth. It looks a whole lot better than my second attempt!

 

[TDM]

Oh, and another mod was using 3/32" pins from TOW. Not that they'll ever need to come out again on this rifle but I just like heavier pins.

 

[TDM]

It looks like you are doing a very good job of inletting. Especially the buttplate. No gaps like a lot of beginners leave. My only suggestion would be to make the lock panels a little thinner and a more concave curve from the wrist into a thinner comb nose. The stock stain looks very nice. These are just my ideas of course and you can take them for what they're worth. It looks a whole lot better than my second attempt!

Couldn't agree with you more on the lock panels. And I did go back and thin out some after comparing to real Hawkens. Just should have thinned a bit more.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I use the 3/32" pins too. A little black goo of some kind put in the holes will make them look older. I'm glad you liked my hopefully constructive criticism.

 

[TDM]

And I have to add that I'd put off posting this because I thought it would be a major pain in the neck to upload the photos. It wasnt that difficult at all! Now I'll try to take better photos.

 

[TDM]

I use the 3/32" pins too. A little black goo of some kind put in the holes will make them look older. I'm glad you liked my hopefully constructive criticism.

That is almost word for word what my oldest Son said. He is a stickler for stuff like that.

 

[Mulemauler]

Looking good!

 

[Snake Pleskin]

This is a .50 flintlock that I started about 3 months ago and finished 3 weeks ago. Bought the kit from Muzzel-Loaders.com and I watched the "I love muzzleloading" YouTube series on his build before and during mine. I replaced the Investarms lock with a L&R RPL lock. I used Laurel Mountain Forge browning for the barrel and hardware and DGW antique stain for the wood. This was my 2nd kit build so I'm still very much a novice. And not sure how the photos will present since this is my first attempt. I plan on trying her out this weekend, weather permitting.

Just rec'd my kit two days ago!!!

 

[Kowalsk1]

Very nice job. That lock improvement is a great idea.

 

[BozoMiller]

Very well done.

 

[MLZ]

Great job, TDM.