Looking for a custom builder to make me a full stock Hawken

[zepman]

I have always wanted a 54 Cal Full stock Hawken and I am ready to shell out the required pelts(or money if so desired :v )to the right builder. Do any of you guys have experience with a rifle builder and want to recommend his services? Thanks for any and all help. John

 

[rabjr]

Hawkens are Cooner54's specialty, might wamt to send him a pt.

 

[zepman]

Thank you and I will do exactly that :thumbsup:

 

[Claude Mathis]

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/MLF_Links.php

 

[J.D.]

If Cooner can't do it,try Don Stith.[url] http://donstith.com/muzzle_loading_rifles.html[/url]

 

[zepman]

Wow, this is great, lots of options. I would love to use a forum member if that works out. I LOVE the idea of having a Rifle that can go either percussion/Flintlock. THAT is a dream Rifle for me. I am thinking maybe a curly Maple stock with some silver buttons on the stock(something like the indians did with their rifles) :hmm:
I want it to be authentic to the materials and styles of the "Trader" era. Come on guys help me design this thing. I am open to all ideas and want to see some pics(YES Gun Porno rules :youcrazy: )Thanks.........John

 

[Herb]

The left Hawken was built by Neill Fields, who worked at the Green River Rifle Works. The one with the tacks is the shop rifle from GRRW. It is patterned after some original Indian rifle. It is owned by our mutual friend, and I have access to it. Neill builds for a living and has now built more than 400 ML firearms. PM me if you want contact info for him.

 

[zepman]

The left Hawken was built by Neill Fields, who worked at the Green River Rifle Works. The one with the tacks is the shop rifle from GRRW. It is patterned after some original Indian rifle. It is owned by our mutual friend, and I have access to it. Neill builds for a living and has now built more than 400 ML firearms. PM me if you want contact info for him.

I Love the one on the right!!! Whats the price tag on a rifle like that??? Thanks John

 

[Herb]

That is the original GRRW shop rifle, owned by a man who worked there, and it is not for sale. Easy to build one like it, though. If you want to talk with Neill, who built Hawkens for a living at the GRRW and in Australia and since, PM me.

 

[zepman]

That is the original GRRW shop rifle, owned by a man who worked there, and it is not for sale. Easy to build one like it, though. If you want to talk with Neill, who built Hawkens for a living at the GRRW and in Australia and since, PM me.

You have mail my friend..........John

 

[sniper68]

Here's mine, by Cooner54. :thumbsup:

 

[Halftail]

Sniper,
That gun is Fine! :hatsoff:

 

Have you thought about getting one of Don Stith's Hawken kits and building it yourself? Don's kit is patterend after his original J & S Hawken full-stock

 

[J.D.]

Wow, this is great, lots of options. I would love to use a forum member if that works out. I LOVE the idea of having a Rifle that can go either percussion/Flintlock. THAT is a dream Rifle for me. I am thinking maybe a curly Maple stock with some silver buttons on the stock(something like the indians did with their rifles) :hmm:
I want it to be authentic to the materials and styles of the "Trader" era. Come on guys help me design this thing. I am open to all ideas and want to see some pics(YES Gun Porno rules :youcrazy: )Thanks.........John

I would caution against the brass tacks. Improperly applied they can make a gun very uncomfortable to carry, shoot, or use in general. They also scream newbie. Very few experienced woodsmen or reenactors will mess up their guns in that way.

I also caution against having a rifle to convert from flint to cap, interchangably. You will never learn to shoot a flint gun well by switching back and forth.

So, what do you plan to do with this gun? will this be a gun used specifically for hunting, target shooting, reenacting, or just for show?

Someone who wants a historically correct rifle will probably become interested in reenacting, at some point, so lets begin there. What time period? Early, pre 1820, western fur trade? Late fur trade?

The time period will effect the style of rifle, early or later, Hawken bros made, Sam Hawken made, or Gemmer made?

IMHO, an earlier rifle can be used throughout the period of the western fur trade.

Will this rifle be used for hunting? How far will you carry it on foot? I would suggest a 54 or larger calber. 58 would be good, or 60,or 62, depending on what you plan to hunt. Generally speaking, for hunting on foot, a larger bore usually offers a lighter rifle vs smaller bores in the same barrel diameter. IMHO, a larger bore offers more punch without appreciably heavier recoil with moderate charges. Heavy charges are another story.

For strictly target shooting, I suggest something in 40, 45, 50, or even a 54. Of course barrels in smaller calibers will be appreciably heavier than a larger bore, of equal diameter barrels.

For general use, I suggest 50, 54 or 58 cal. IMHO, bigger is better.

Good luck.
J.D.

 

I would caution against the brass tacks. Improperly applied they can make a gun very uncomfortable to carry, shoot, or use in general. They also scream newbie. Very few experienced woodsmen or reenactors will mess up their guns in that way.

It may scream newbie to some nowadays, but,....in the period in question I doubt it screamed newbie. It screamed indian or haverno.

BTW, Zepman, if ya want a Fullstock Hawken rifle have Herb make it for ya. Show the pics of the fullstock ya built for a friend a yours, Herb. Derned fine rifle in my opinion.

 

[zepman]

Actually I would love to do another kit. I have done 3 and they got better each time and I have learned a lot since then.There is certainly a satisfaction to be had when you build it yourself, even if its from parts it still takes on a little personality of the ownder/builder.I will also explore this option..........Thanks John

 

[zepman]

I would caution against the brass tacks. Improperly applied they can make a gun very uncomfortable to carry, shoot, or use in general. They also scream newbie. Very few experienced woodsmen or reenactors will mess up their guns in that way.

It may scream newbie to some nowadays, but,....in the period in question I doubt it screamed newbie. It screamed indian or haverno.

BTW, Zepman, if ya want a Fullstock Hawken rifle have Herb make it for ya. Show the pics of the fullstock ya built for a friend a yours, Herb. Derned fine rifle in my opinion.

I agree I have seen several late trapper period guns adorned with Indian decorations.I have been BP shooting for 30+ years aint nuthin newbie about my old A$$ :thumbsup: I wish I could "renew" a few parts, some of me has worn out quicker then others :rotf:

I would be honored to have any of you that would be interested do this build, although I do want to explore some of the kit options like the one mentioned in the above post. thanks John

 

[zepman]

Wow, this is great, lots of options. I would love to use a forum member if that works out. I LOVE the idea of having a Rifle that can go either percussion/Flintlock. THAT is a dream Rifle for me. I am thinking maybe a curly Maple stock with some silver buttons on the stock(something like the indians did with their rifles) :hmm:
I want it to be authentic to the materials and styles of the "Trader" era. Come on guys help me design this thing. I am open to all ideas and want to see some pics(YES Gun Porno rules :youcrazy: )Thanks.........John

I would caution against the brass tacks. Improperly applied they can make a gun very uncomfortable to carry, shoot, or use in general. They also scream newbie. Very few experienced woodsmen or reenactors will mess up their guns in that way.

I also caution against having a rifle to convert from flint to cap, interchangably. You will never learn to shoot a flint gun well by switching back and forth.

So, what do you plan to do with this gun? will this be a gun used specifically for hunting, target shooting, reenacting, or just for show?

Someone who wants a historically correct rifle will probably become interested in reenacting, at some point, so lets begin there. What time period? Early, pre 1820, western fur trade? Late fur trade?

The time period will effect the style of rifle, early or later, Hawken bros made, Sam Hawken made, or Gemmer made?

IMHO, an earlier rifle can be used throughout the period of the western fur trade.

Will this rifle be used for hunting? How far will you carry it on foot? I would suggest a 54 or larger calber. 58 would be good, or 60,or 62, depending on what you plan to hunt. Generally speaking, for hunting on foot, a larger bore usually offers a lighter rifle vs smaller bores in the same barrel diameter. IMHO, a larger bore offers more punch without appreciably heavier recoil with moderate charges. Heavy charges are another story.

For strictly target shooting, I suggest something in 40, 45, 50, or even a 54. Of course barrels in smaller calibers will be appreciably heavier than a larger bore, of equal diameter barrels.

For general use, I suggest 50, 54 or 58 cal. IMHO, bigger is better.

Good luck.
J.D.

Hi J.D.,
I dont see myself really getting into the reenactment scene, never really given that much thought. I just love to shoot BP and after all these years have decided to start hunting Big Game with my frontloaders.My two current rifles are a T/C 50Cal Hawken and a Lyman 54 Cal deerstalker. Both of these rifles shoot really well and I have taken smaller game and varments with the Hawken.The Deerstalker will get its chance in Feb/March on a Boar hunt.
I have no Flintlocks and wouldnt mind having one of them but would prefer to have a second barrel/lock for my existing gun and make my "new" full stock custom hawken a percussion.I do intend on hunting with it as there are NO "wall Hangars" in my collection. I have 40+ firearms and they all get shot. some more so than others.
Thanks for your response there are some interesting points you make and some food for thought..................John

 

[Herb]

Thanks, Cooner. That was kind of you. The post he means is in "Shooting Accessories" forum, date of 12/26/07, subject "RE: 777 Any Good In Flintlocks?" I learned a lot building that rifle, and I liked it very much. A friend bought it. I'd enjoy building another.

 

[zepman]

Thanks, Cooner. That was kind of you. The post he means is in "Shooting Accessories" forum, date of 12/26/07, subject "RE: 777 Any Good In Flintlocks?" I learned a lot building that rifle, and I liked it very much. A friend bought it. I'd enjoy building another.

I checked out that post!!! Herb,Thats a beautiful rifle and a great shooter also.Did you build it from scratch or a kit?............John