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Ithaca Hawken (oldie)

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reddogge

45 Cal.
Joined
Jan 22, 2005
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Here's one you don't see much of these days. I built this from the excellent kit Ithaca put out for a couple of short years in the late 70's. They bought it from Cherry Corners, sold it for a couple of years and then ditched it. Too bad as it was extreemly good quality. Douglas barrel, Cherry Corners lock, triggers, iron mountings, etc.
IthacaHawken.jpg

IthacaHawken3.jpg

IthacaHawken2.jpg
 
That's PURDY. I always did like the dark finish.
Nice job on it , too. Thanks for sharing it with us. :thumbsup:
 
They were the thing to have back in the day. Hawkens ruled the roost back then. Everybody had to have one. That kit was one of the early and best kits available. You did a fine job with the lines, the wrist, lock moldings, etc.
 
reddogge,

That must have been a real short run on them guns! It seems there wasn't any time to write much up about them before they quit producing them. I have looked all over to find any information on them. Only a couple of passing references and a price comparison between it and the TC Hawken at the time. I bought one just after the new year... I'm guessing it was a kit since the metal is still in the white and the lock screws extend through the plate. and in general the metal needs to be polished.

You sure did a fine job on that Hawken. hope mine will look even half that good when its done.

Do you know if these rifles were serial numbered? There's nothing on the top of the barrel... but on the bottom mine is stamped 240 with a corresponding number in the barrel channel on the stock. Is that the serial number or something else?

Smokeydays
 
Recently I saw one in an antique store in a nearby town marked $500. I was tempted, as I sold my own Hawkin years ago and regretted it. When I went back few months later it was $700. It may still be there.... :rolleyes:
 
Ifen 35 years is anteek, then I'm prehistoric.
It's purdy, but I'd have to gawdy her up some. ::
 
The understated beuty of iron trim...that's not just purdy but has that "looks like it's moving when it's sitting still" look. Kind of has the look of a sleeping grizzly bear too.

Anyhow...that's why there's not a speck of brass on my Jaeger.

Now brass fans don't get upset, I have a Brown Bess with plenty of brass on it, and I love her dearly!

Rat
 
Reddogge,

Know where I can get an Ithaca Hawken at a reasonable price? I have a Lyman GPR in 54 caliber, but I sure would like an Ithaca to go with it.
 
The Ithaca/ Cherry Corners Hawken's also have another cousin you might look for at the auctions/ shows. The same gun wears the Browning nametag. They contracted with Cherry to make their muzzleloaders. Same gun , same excellent quality, and value. Just FYI Bill
 
Absolutely beautiful lines on the stock, great looking rifle... looks very close to a GPR. The only thing that catches the eye is the size of the lock, even that makes it interesting. The finish is perfect. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks all for the kind comments. I've always liked this gun although the pull is slightly long for me. It always shot well.

As far as serial numbers I have mine listed in my records as #1999991 which may be a number I got off of the paperwork or it may be stamped under the barrel. I forgot.

As far as history on the gun, I have all of my brochures, building instructions booklet, shooting instructions booklet that came with the kit. I bought it wholesale in August 1977 direct from Ithaca gun for $213.75. The completed gun sold for $420 back then. I remember John Baird was involved in the project in developing it.

It was a shame this kit didn't survive more than a year or two because they were really very nice. Thanks again for looking at it.
 
$420 is plenty expensive for that date! It is certainly a very fine looking specimen, and a nice collectors item. :thumbsup:
 
I had one for years that I built from a kit. Got it @ Navy Arms' retail shop in NJ right after they bought out Ithaca's
remaining stock. I didn't care for the Cherry Corners lock.
The mainspring had about the same power as a rubber band and the sear didn't like the tumbler. Replaced both parts and had to grind the hell out of the triggers to get them to work right. Eventually it funtioned pretty well. Years later I had Bob Hoyt fresh it out to .54( I prefer that for deer). It was a nice looking rifle especially compared to what else was out there in "production" guns. I think the
going price for a true Ithaca, as opposed to the later
Navy/Uberti is around $550.00. TOW has one that's been doctored up with a patchbox and early trigger guard for
a liitle over $1,100.00. It's been on for quite some time and I don't think it'll move at that price.
 
Here's one you don't see much of these days. I built this from the excellent kit Ithaca put out for a couple of short years in the late 70's. They bought it from Cherry Corners, sold it for a couple of years and then ditched it. Too bad as it was extreemly good quality. Douglas barrel, Cherry Corners lock, triggers, iron mountings, etc.
IthacaHawken.jpg

IthacaHawken3.jpg

IthacaHawken2.jpg
Thanks all for the kind comments. I've always liked this gun although the pull is slightly long for me. It always shot well.

As far as serial numbers I have mine listed in my records as #1999991 which may be a number I got off of the paperwork or it may be stamped under the barrel. I forgot.

As far as history on the gun, I have all of my brochures, building instructions booklet, shooting instructions booklet that came with the kit. I bought it wholesale in August 1977 direct from Ithaca gun for $213.75. The completed gun sold for $420 back then. I remember John Baird was involved in the project in developing it.

It was a shame this kit didn't survive more than a year or two because they were really very nice. Thanks again for looking at it.
Hello
Are you willing to share the shooting instructions booklet you have - nearly impossible to find technical data on this rifle
 
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