Howdy folks! I just acquired what I think is a very nice unfired Hawkin style rifle that was made by an Allen Postel. I have looked extensively on the net for info about him, what type of work he did and any other arms that he made, and came up with nothing. All I could find out was that he lived in Gilbert, IA for some years before more recently moving to Ames, IA. He had an FFL and sold guns. I could find no mention of him doing gunsmithing work.
I believe that Mr. Postel, who was in his late 70's, passed away some time last year, because his rifle collection was being sold by a friend of mine, Steve Emmert of Grain Valley, MO. for the estate. I am inserting a few
pics of the rifle.
The work on this rifle seems to me to be of rather high quality, very clean in design and execution.
I know that some parts were browned, the lock plate, hammer and rib, while other parts, barrel, trigger guard, butt plate, seem to be 'greyed'. I have no clue as to what finish was used on them.
At least sights were installed correctly, facing the right directions.
All the components used appear to be of very good quality. The gap that appears between the breech and the lock plate bothers me a little. Does that need some attention?
This rifle has a few features not usually seen on Hawkin style rifles, at least not by me. There are six piercings in the trigger guard. There are two scribed lines on each side of the toe plate with brass rod finials.
When I removed the barrel from the stock, hoping to find a barrel maker's mark, I found instead that the three bottom flats had been fluted, where they would not show, to lighten the barrel.
When I bought this rifle, Steve Emmert told me that he had done some of the machine work on this rifle for Postel, namely the barrel engraving, flute milling, attaching the rib and thimbles to the barrel and milling the dove tails for the sights and barrel under lugs. All the other work, I believe, was done by Postel.
I am curious if any of you have a rifle made by Postel, or know anything about the work he did in general. Part of the deal on me buying this rifle was that I also buy a flintlock rifle that Postel had recently started to build. I didn't really want a flintlock, but made the deal to get this Hawkin style rifle. I will likely be offering the flintlock 'kit' up for sale in the near future on this forum. Any comments would be a[ppreciated. Thanks!
I believe that Mr. Postel, who was in his late 70's, passed away some time last year, because his rifle collection was being sold by a friend of mine, Steve Emmert of Grain Valley, MO. for the estate. I am inserting a few
pics of the rifle.
The work on this rifle seems to me to be of rather high quality, very clean in design and execution.
I know that some parts were browned, the lock plate, hammer and rib, while other parts, barrel, trigger guard, butt plate, seem to be 'greyed'. I have no clue as to what finish was used on them.
At least sights were installed correctly, facing the right directions.
All the components used appear to be of very good quality. The gap that appears between the breech and the lock plate bothers me a little. Does that need some attention?
This rifle has a few features not usually seen on Hawkin style rifles, at least not by me. There are six piercings in the trigger guard. There are two scribed lines on each side of the toe plate with brass rod finials.
When I removed the barrel from the stock, hoping to find a barrel maker's mark, I found instead that the three bottom flats had been fluted, where they would not show, to lighten the barrel.
When I bought this rifle, Steve Emmert told me that he had done some of the machine work on this rifle for Postel, namely the barrel engraving, flute milling, attaching the rib and thimbles to the barrel and milling the dove tails for the sights and barrel under lugs. All the other work, I believe, was done by Postel.
I am curious if any of you have a rifle made by Postel, or know anything about the work he did in general. Part of the deal on me buying this rifle was that I also buy a flintlock rifle that Postel had recently started to build. I didn't really want a flintlock, but made the deal to get this Hawkin style rifle. I will likely be offering the flintlock 'kit' up for sale in the near future on this forum. Any comments would be a[ppreciated. Thanks!
