Hawken rifles came in many calibers. Not all rifles were destined for the plains and needed to be of large caliber. Some were made for local hunters and target shooters in 45 caliber and some less. The smaller caliber rifles may have had brass hardware and a single wedge. In rifles of the 18th century, bluing was the most likely form of rust inhibiting finish for the rifle barrel. Over time, the blued metal would become brown.