Just aqiured Hawken Rifle Help!!!!

[tschie]

First post so please bare with me. I just purchased from an estate sale is a Hawken full stock percussion cap rifle. It has a octagon barrel,A beautiful stock i think is maple very few nicks or scratches.Its front sight is a blade with a square bumpup on either
side.The rear sight has best i can describe it has greenish glow in front of a notched blade sight.It only has one trigger.There is no brass inlaid in the stock .The only mfg,date or any kind of mark on any metal or wood is between the rear sight and hammer G. Roberts etched in the metal It is a very plain rifle in excellent condition.Could any of you give me any info i.e.: date produced ,caliber style.ect.ect. THANKS TOM

 

[54ball]

We need some photos. You could have anything from an original to a CVA Kentucky.

The bumps on each side of the blade are the dovetail.

The green?? could be anything from tarnished brass to one of those glow type modern sights.

We need more detailed info and again pictures would help a great deal.

 

[Rifleman1776]

hotoSmile:

 

[Dave K]

You have a good start on describing it, but way too much info missing. Pictures would help allot. Cal. can be closely determined by the bore dia.

 

[bpd303]

Any marks on the barrel other than the name? Always helpful in identifying proof marks etc.

 

[tschie]

No, The only mark on the Rifle( I have not disassemble it) Is the name between the front sight and hammer and its written not printed G. ROBERTS etched in the metal, My son will be posting some pics tonight. Taanks Tom

 

[Grenadier1758]

Could any of you give me any info i.e.: date produced ,caliber style.ect.ect. THANKS TOM

We need pictures!

Caliber can be determined by measuring the bore diameter. Can you easily remove the barrel and look for any markings that would be on the underside of the barrel? That could help.

This sounds like a not from the factory build and a lot of answers just won't be available.

 

[Billnpatti]

Yep, no doubt about it hotoSmile: Actually several good clear photos. One of each side showing the full length, one of the lock and photos of any specific markings. Remove the lock and take a photo of the inside showing the works. The more good clear photos, the better.

 

[trent/OH]

Welcome to the neighborhood shoney! Based on having a signature, this might just be a goodun you latched onto.
That's what kids are for, using modern technology that the parents (or grandparents) can't figure out, so I too am looking forward to your pictures.

Keep fighting that Parkinson's. One day we'll beat it. Hopefully soon.

 

[tschie]

Hey sorry I will get more photos soon I snapped these quickly. Let me know what you guys think.
Http://imgur.com/a/kFgKX

 

[Grenadier1758]

You have a very nice stock with very good figure.

That's also a Thompson Center front sight. The sights are very modern while the rest of the gun has the look of an early Hawken brothers copy.

How long is the barrel?

What is the width of the barrel at the breech and at the muzzle?

How much does it weigh?

Your trigger guard is the flat Hawken style associated with early Hawken rifles. The stock is pinned to the barrel, not using wedges as later models did. It has the slant breech of a later gun and not a T/C breech. The side plate is more of a Tennessee side plate not the oval of a Hawken.

My guess is that it is a mismatched parts copy of an early full stock Hawken gun using modern cast parts. It would look much better with period sights and some thinning of the wood in the wrist and forestock to emulate the architecture of the Hawken guns. It is probably off some in the butt stock Probably made 1970's (?).

It will probably be a very accurate shooter.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Not very good pics. Could be a Thompson Center 'hawken' barrel restocked with some repro hardware and lock. Nice wood and, overall, nice job of restocking. Highly unlikely it is very old.

 

[necchi]

Could be a Thompson Center 'hawken' barrel restocked

Nope, breech is different and rpl breech for the TC is tuff, they have an odd ball thread.

Highly unlikely it is very old.

Agreed, it's a custom build but,,,

 

[Urban Coyote]

Here's a shot in the dark, G. Roberts. There was a gentleman by the name of Greg Roberts who appeared in an early edition of the Lyman Black Powder Handbook and I've got it in my aging memory he was associated with Gary White. It might be remotely possible he has something to do with this gun. One thing for sure, it's no T/C.

 

[tschie]

Thank YOU ,For your info on the rifle and also on your encourage ing words about the battle with parkinsons.

Tom

 

[tschie]

Thanks to Urban Coytotes shot in the dark reply about the signature G. Roberts etched in the top of my rifle. I was able to learn that the rifle was made by the Green River Rifle Works and G. Roberts who was employed by them. Now can someone tell me something about the company. Thanks Tom

 

[tschie]

Your Shot IN THE DARK WORK!!!!!! after reading your reply I researched both the names you mentioned,They, both worked for the GREEN RIVER RIFLE WORKS COMPANY, maybe still do .Theres even a pictue o G.Roberts working on a fire arm. Now I need to find out about the company.

Thanks Again Tom

 

[tschie]

I found out from all the info provided by you all Thank YOU Is i do not have a Hawken What I do have is a GRRW full stock LehmansIIndian Trade Rifle. I haven't determined the caliber yet. Also i can't find the SN yet but I haven't disassembled it yet. The name G. Roberts etched in the metal between the rear sight and hammer is that of greg Roberts General Manager of GRRW.could be his personal rifle. Could you tell me if this is a collectable or an everyday rifle. Thanks Again TQM

 

[Urban Coyote]

Yes, both were associated with GRRW, I believe Dr. Gary White owned it. A correction, it was the Lyman Muzzleloader's Handbook, First Edition 1976, where I had read a story by Gary White and Greg Roberts is shooting pheasants with a flintlock shotgun. It suggests Greg Roberts was the manager of GRRW.

Glad the info helped.

I own three GRRW guns, all Leman half stock models, nice guns. I once owned a fourth but "girl trouble" forced it's sale. I'd much rather have the gun back.

 

[BrownBear]

Dunno about price or collectability, but I'll bet you dollars to donuts it's a fine shooter.

My GRRW 58 caliber Hawken was built by Ron Paull (named on bottom barrel flat in front of the breech), and by a wide margin it's the most accurate ML I own. I get 100 yard groups that would make me proud at 50 yards with other guns.

Quite a bit more elaborate than a trade gun, but 6 years ago I paid just under $1k for it. Seller was happy and I felt I got a good deal. "Value" is kinda meaningless cuzz it would be the last muzzleloader I'd sell. Just proud to own such a well built gun that's also a stellar shooter.