The price of a rifle is often determined by the components that went into the rifle. A nice piece of maple is priced according to the curl or stripes. The closer they are and consistent throughout the stock determines the price. A good lock, regardless if it is cap or flint, made by a reputable name, such as Siler, Davis or L&R, is worth the extra money. Same goes for the trigger. A barrel may be straight or swamped. A swamped barrel is big at the breech and small in the middle and again big at the muzzle. A swamped barrel cost more, but once you handle one and feel the weight and balance, you'll realize the importance. Here again, a Rice barrel, or Colrain barrel, or even older Douglas barrel, is worth the extra money. Now the next factor is the art work. The price is often based on the artist ability to not only carve the stock and perhaps embellish with inlays, but a lot of what makes a rifle, is how it compares to the originals from certain regions. A Lancaster, or Virginia rifle can be an early or late version. A Southern Mountain and a Tennessee rifle will not look exactly alike or even closely alike to an expert.
The same person could make two rifles and each be of the best quality. They could even have the same triggers, lock and barrel. One might be a plain Southern iron mounted rifle and the other be a fancy Lancaster rifle. The Southern Mt. rifle might sell for $1700. to $2000. while the Lancaster might sell for $6000. if the rifle has a lot of relief carving, inlays, patch box, and engraving.
It's hard to put a price on craftsmanship and art.
My rifles are plain, but quality. I hunt with them and shoot them often.
Choosing used rifles, takes research, luck, a keen eye. I've drug home some orphan rifles, knowing they would be a challenge to rework. But I've been lucky, and seem to have an eye for what they can be. I can rework a quality part's rifle, easier than I can build or buy one.
If I were hunting hogs (Which is on my bucket list) and I wanted a cap lock in a large caliber, I would probably by a custom built Hawken. When you get into Hawken rifles, and I mean copies of the J&S Hawkens, they are very difficult to find one's that are period correct. And, they can get pricey depending on the quality of materials and craftsmanship. Of course if you are looking for a lower price starter rifle, a TC Hawken, Lyman, or Pedersoli Hawken might be what you're looking for.
Best of luck
