T/C 50 Cal. How do I guess the age?

[F_Thomas]

Stopped by a friends shop and he has a .50 cal T/C Hawkin that looks well worn, but he says that it has been hanging over someone's fireplace for years and was never fired. The barrell and all other metal parts have taken on an interesting patina and the wood almost looks as though it was painted it is so dark.

How would I try and figure out the age of the rifle. Is it worth $450?

 

[F_Thomas]

Think this should have been in the Research Section. Please move if needed.

 

[Zonie]

No, it's good right where it is.

The Research section is reserved for original 150 year old or older guns.

Sorry to be the one that has to tell you but determining the age of a TC Hawkin to the nearest year is almost impossible.

The newly made ones aren't a problem but quite a few years ago TC had a fire that destroyed all of their serial number records.

As to whether this gun is worth $450 I can't say.
Being "unfired" doesn't carry much water unless the gun was kept cleaned and oiled over the years.

My first thought about a blackened stock is that no one took care of it.

If the bore is rust free from the muzzle to the breech and there are no signs of rust on the exterior the gun is probably somewhere in the $350-$400 range, at least in my neck of the woods.

That "neck of the woods" thing can have a lot to do with the value of a muzzleloader.
Some areas just about can't give them away while other areas their cost is pretty high.

 

[F_Thomas]

Zonie, thanks much. I'm in S. Cal and the call for muzzleloaders is fairly small compared to other parts of the country. I may go back over and take another look at it and give it a better inspection.

Honestly, I think I'll hang on to my money for a flintlock. This caplock looks as if it would be lots of work and I doubt it was kept lubed based on what I saw on the outside.

 

[ebiggs1]

Just from what you said in your post, I would believe $450 way out of range.
I'm guessing $300 is closer, if it is even unfired!?!
Condition is everything. Unfired or not. :thumbsup:

 

[larry wv]

It would sell for 250 or less around here. Western Wv. Larry