QUESTION OUT THERE..

[fred fellows]

hi guys....ive got this original hawken full stock...had it since the 70s when you could get one...im thinking about shooting it....its got a pretty good bore...not perfect but rifelling looks ok...its off of a ranch in oregon and tho used a bunch was taken care of...woodfill said its early 1849 to 1850...54 cal...got some balls from track of the wolf....what is the general feelings about shooting it....fred fellows

 

[64Springer]

Old guns are made to shoot.

The thread can be closed now.


PS: Looks like a crack running through the lock mortise/panel and possibly in the wrist. Maybe 30 grains just to wake her up and go back in time a bit.

 

[Dave Marsh]

I'd shoot it if that is not a crack through the lock mortise and the wrist as observed by 64Springer. Is it engraved on the barrel with the Hawken name?

 

[fred fellows]

dave...heres the stamp...67 springer...great idea 30 grains and 50 cal ball...ive got other muzzel loaders including origina lehman flint that ive shot some but this gun worth a little more and part of my old age retirement....fred

 

[fred fellows]

crack in mortice does not go thru....fred

 

[64Springer]

Double struck HAWKEN.

Neat.

 

[Dave Marsh]

Very nice. Thanks for the pictures. 30 grains sounds like a good start. Enjoy that beauty.

 

[52Bore]

Absolutely, if there is no indication of any issues.
I’d start with a low powder charge and inspect with each shot and confirm there’s no issues.

Bring it to the HawkenClassic!

 

[fred fellows]

52 bore...bet you know bob woodfill pretty good...i talk to him now and then...he sent me pictures of the last one...saw his shippig box to ft laramie with hawkens he built...also love his book...nobody knows hawkens better than he does...thanks for coming back ...fred

 

[Kansas Jake]

Great of you to share this with us, Fred.

 

[Notchy Bob]

Fred, if the rifle is solid, I think you could shoot it. My vision is not very good, and I missed the crack that @64Springer saw. If you checked it out and found it is superficial, I think light loads would be safe.

An empty .45 Colt case holds 41 grains, exactly a dram and a half, and might be a good load to try. That was Horace Kephart's starting load when he tested an old .54 caliber Hawken. He kept increasing the charge, but there's no need for you to do that.

Let us know how it shoots! The rifle is a beauty.

Notchy Bob

 

[morehops52]

That is a fantastic rifle but as desireable as it is that Bowie knife is absolutely AWWWWSOOMMMME!!!! From that time period it could be from one of the grat San Francisco knife makers. There should be a makers mark on the other side that is being shown. I would love to know who made it. PM me if you don't want to general post it. Close ups???

 

[Rendezvous Valley Trading]

THAT. IS. SO. BEAUTIFUL.... If you need someone to drool on it, I mean test it I am your guy!

 

[HighUintas]

@fred fellows do you have any information at all on the history of this rifle?

 

[Rebel bull]

I acquired a bunch of parts and my late wife gave me a 54 green mtn barrel about 10 years ago I had a want of a full stock Hawken black walnut with true German silver furniture. And I truly wanted a gun built by a very close friend that was getting close to the age that he couldn't build any more. Thank the good Lord he is still with us but the rifle still isn't done yet, but he say's its getting close he can't shoot any more and can't see to drive but spends time on it most days when he's not doctoring, I just I'm able to hold it to shoot when I finally get it !

 

[Mulebrain]

Does this thread have me thinking of a full stock Hawken build? Why yes it does

 

[BEP]

There's also a crack forward of the lock mortise, fairly well pronounced. We're talking a stock well over a century and a half old. If it were me (and I'm well aware its not) I might shoot it once just to say I did, clean it thoroughly and display it in a place of honor. Something caused that stock to crack. With the availability of modern made rifles of a similar type I wouldn't take any chances with a treasure like that one. Just my opinion, of course.

Edited - I missed that split at the toe of the butt. Another serious consideration that would make me reluctant to use this one a an active shooter. But that's just me.

 

[Crockford]

If it was mine..... I would have to shoot it. Definitely stick to a low charge 40gr. Max for me and a ball that slides down with little effort. Be careful with the toe of the gun when loading, it looks to be cracked too. I would probably want to recover the ball I shot from it, just for conversation sakes. Beautiful gun be careful with it.

 

[Rifleman1776]

I acquired a bunch of parts and my late wife gave me a 54 green mtn barrel about 10 years ago I had a want of a full stock Hawken black walnut with true German silver furniture. And I truly wanted a gun built by a very close friend that was getting close to the age that he couldn't build any more. Thank the good Lord he is still with us but the rifle still isn't done yet, but he say's its getting close he can't shoot any more and can't see to drive but spends time on it most days when he's not doctoring, I just I'm able to hold it to shoot when I finally get it !

Then "original", not. But still a dandy. And, I noticed the Carrigan coffin handled Bowie also. Also a dandy.

 

[fred fellows]

Fred, if the rifle is solid, I think you could shoot it. My vision is not very good, and I missed the crack that @64Springer saw. If you checked it out and found it is superficial, I think light loads would be safe.

An empty .45 Colt case holds 41 grains, exactly a dram and a half, and might be a good load to try. That was Horace Kephart's starting load when he tested an old .54 caliber Hawken. He kept increasing the charge, but there's no need for you to do that.

Let us know how it shoots! The rifle is a beauty.

Notchy Bob