Serial Number Dating a T/C

[Kansas Jake]

The TC year of manufacture has come up here on the forum several time. I would be interesting if we begin to compile a list of serial numbers and year of purchase or approximate year of original purchase to begin to compile a database to estimate the age of a particular model of TC.

 

[necchi]

good idea, but you should read this long thread in it's entirety.
It's been established,,
Serial numbers have nothing to do with year of manufacture in a chronological manner.
They DO have information that may include, model, supplier, specific assembler, location of assemblers line, the shift the assembler worked and milling machine used,,
,, and all of THAT information has been lost,, In a Fire,,they burnt,, nobody knows about the numbers, the people that did are all DEAD, ya can't ask them anymore,,
Well, I guess you could actually ask.

 

[vintovka]

Couple last issues. First off pretty sure the Maltese cross and the spade marks are Hals. I suspect the clubs are too. Seems logical he would have a set of "card" stamps bur we'll never know. The real irritating thing is TCs now defunct lifetime warranty. Unless someone steps in an starts to manufacture replacement parts. Many TCs are on their way to wall hangers. Seems the flys have a limited life of their own and replacing the whole lock is a costly endeavor rivaling the value of the entire item. Some are selling without the damaged fly so heads up.

 

[FishDFly]

The Gun Works does have some T/C parts listed for those in need.

 

[renegadehunter]

Yes they do, I recently got a new sear from them for my Renegade that fit perfectly.

 

[vintovka]

Yes they do, I recently got a new sear from them for my Renegade that fit perfectly.

Having a spare fly and sear is not a bad idea, Neither is checking them occasionally. Failure of either may damage tumbler.

 

[thixotropy]

A fellow I shoot with in FL, had issues with a frizzen on his T/C. He sent a note to "T/C" and 'they' sent him a new frizzen. I know the guy and have no reason to doubt his word. So some I've heard regarding warranty and parts is obviously not true. That being said, that may be the only part they have a surplus of.

 

[FishDFly]

Yes they do, I recently got a new sear from them for my Renegade that fit perfectly.

Joe and Susi are nice folks to do business with.

 

[vintovka]

A fellow I shoot with in FL, had issues with a frizzen on his T/C. He sent a note to "T/C" and 'they' sent him a new frizzen. I know the guy and have no reason to doubt his word. So some I've heard regarding warranty and parts is obviously not true. That being said, that may be the only part they have a surplus of.

The last time we tried to get lock parts from Smith and Wesson (TC's successor) we got an abrupt email back stating that the stock of parts had run out and there would be no more. Just tried to get into TCs Black powder warranty page it said "page not found". Maybe someone else will try and confirm.

 

[Darwin Hormann]

My 1973 Hawken 50 caliber purchased in 1974 has a serial number 8079.

 

[RiderRick]

Can anyone tell me when TC used a iron trigger guards on their rifles.

 

[Jimbocva]

Can anyone tell me when TC used a iron trigger guards on their rifles.

I own a first year TC Hawken with 4 digit serial number 22XX. On the first year models they had color case-hardened trigger guards and tang screws instead of brass trigger guards and blued tang screws. I don’t believe TC ever released a Hawken version that shipped with an Iron trigger guard but I don’t know for sure, but I have seen builders make them for TC Hawkens in the same shape etc.
And for what it’s worth, there is a Maltese Cross on the flat underneath the barrel of my first year Hawken.

 

[Crow-Feather]

A fellow I shoot with in FL, had issues with a frizzen on his T/C. He sent a note to "T/C" and 'they' sent him a new frizzen. I know the guy and have no reason to doubt his word. So some I've heard regarding warranty and parts is obviously not true. That being said, that may be the only part they have a surplus of.

A lyman frizzen fits and some say is better than the T/C

 

[bubba.50]

I own a first year TC Hawken with 4 digit serial number 22XX. On the first year models they had color case-hardened trigger guards and tang screws instead of brass trigger guards and blued tang screws. I don’t believe TC ever released a Hawken version that shipped with an Iron trigger guard but I don’t know for sure, but I have seen builders make them for TC Hawkens in the same shape etc.
And for what it’s worth, there is a Maltese Cross on the flat underneath the barrel of my first year Hawken.

The Hawken Custom from the Fox Ridge shop had all blued furniture, includin’ triggerguard, no patchbox, and a 30in roundball barrel.

 

[tom in nc]

I now own a percussion T/C 50 cal Hawken, and a flintlock 50 cal CVA Hawken, and other bp guns. All are older guns according to the serial #s, but well cared for by previous owners. People who own more expensive guns can call them cheap guns, as some have, but they happen to be examples that shoot well. I believe someone who is a "good shot" can take his "cheap" gun and out shoot a not so good/average shot with his expensive gun, usually. I've seen it happen. Been right there close by.

 

[fourbore]

I would not characterize TC guns some kind of lesser compromise. They are not a replica or a fake or pretend gun. Nothing wrong with wearing buckskins and making a day of pretend. That is not TC. Pre- S&W they had a very good reputation for all products. For example: Contender and later the Encore. I though the Venture was a good centerfire rifle. The whole product line of side locks was a quality and class act. But NOT 'replicas'. They used the name "Hawken". Maybe should has stuck with names like Renegade and Cherokee? They provided a good gun and IMHO, best value in class for people who want to shoot a muzzle loader, many to hunt the primitive seasons as defined at the time. You could get cheaper 1/2 price guns from Spain or Italy and you could pay 2x for a Browning at one time. TC got it just right.

Those who complain, and I was one back in the day, should blame the individual states for allowing less authentic guns.

My pride and joy is a real deal M1816. No replica, how ever well executed, would ever take its place. I dont mean that to disparage a John Doe super copy of a Hawken. Point is only real is real. After that, a gun should be evaluated in the context of how and why it was made. With comparisons being apples to apples.

 

[Winterhawk]

I have heard from several people who sent their older T-C rifles in for warranty work after S&W took over (remember the lifetime warranty). They were sent checks for the original price of the guns and their rifles were GONE! So beware out there....

 

[fourbore]

I take any life time warranty with a grain of salt. I would not expect a bankrupt or sold company to honor anything. I try to buy quality and the warranty is a bonus. Does not alwasy work. I try. I do not shop LL Bean, but; I was given a jacket by a SIL a few xmas back. It had a lifetime guarantee. The zipper broke. I called LL and was told they are not honoring their life time guarantee! I did not have the motivation to argue. I dont know what S&W wanted with TC. I consider TC gone. New owners, different company with different location and different employees.

Appreciate the warning. TC parts are available all over the internet. I can handle the risks.

 

[RATROD56]

Anyone have any idea a ballpark date of a T/C Hawken 50cal with a serial number K113761?

 

[fourbore]

I read here the "K" serial numbers were sold as Kits. Cannot help with serial/date info.