TC Hawken Custom Info

[fourbore]

I was under the impression that at one time a person could special order muzzle loading rifles with customer specified features from Thompson Center. That was not a so called "Custom" or "Fox Ridge" version. Call it an individual order. Is that wrong? I am not going by memory, but; rather recent internet chit chat. it now see more likely, (reading here) that there were not individual order.

I have one purchased used, with high blue, high grade walnut and 32" 1/66 barrel. No brass. It has tang mounted ladder sights which I guess was added later. Reading post #17, this was a catalog offering and not an individual made to order gun? Except mine is a Hawken.

 

[vintovka]

There was a Hawken Classic II with that recently sold on gun broker -it has Fox Ridge and 25th Anniversary stamped on barrel so that would be 1995 since the Hawken came out in 1970.

Think my memory is on downhill slide time wise. They are better looking than a standard TC Hawken but not quite a custom. Had they added a 32" barrel and dual wedges it would have been better.

 

[dalmeida88]

I always thought that was the best-looking "Hawken" T/C ever made. The iron mountings (to my eye) are preferable to brass, and I never had much use for the little cap box. This rifle appears to use a different hammer from the typical Hawken, also.

I have a saved copy of the Fox Ridge Outfitters Catalog #17 which shows a rifle that appears identical to yours, but they call it the Hawken Classic II Rifle. They list it with two variations. No. A020193 is in .50 caliber with a 28" barrel and 1 turn in 48" twist. No. A020194 is in .50 caliber with a 31" barrel and 1 turn in 66" twist. Both are the same price ($525.00), and both have 15/16" barrels. So, it looks like barrel length may be the key for quick identification of probable rate of twist. These rifles are also described as having "Selected-Custom Grade American Black Walnut." Your Hawken has pretty nice wood, too, so that may have been standard for this rifle.

I don't know the date of this catalog. I don't find a date anywhere on it or in it. Based on my mailing address (which the post office changed from a rural route to a street address) and the fact that the catalog does not show a website (so it is pre-internet), I'm guessing early 1990's.

This Fox Ridge Outfitters catalog also shows interchangeable barrels for the Hawken Classic II rifles, but interestingly, the replacement barrels are priced differently. The 28" barrel with 1:48 twist is listed for $195.00, while the 31" barrel with 1:66 twist is priced at $235.00. This seems odd to me, since the two different rifles were priced the same, but that's what the catalog shows.

In any event, you have keeper there, hoss! Have fun with it, and be safe!

Notchy Bob

Thanks for all the info! I too agree that this is one of the nicer looking TC Hawkens. I can’t wait to see it in person, it should be delivered tomorrow.

 

[SDSmlf]

Thanks for all the info! I too agree that this is one of the nicer looking TC Hawkens. I can’t wait to see it in person, it should be delivered tomorrow.

As long as the bore is good, you are golden.

 

[Norman Notes]

As long as the bore is good, you are golden.

Anyone know the value of these riffles? I have one that is in absolutely mint condition. Looks like some sort of dark walnut wood. The barrel has a blue mirror finish on it. No rust or marks or scratches. And I’m looking to get rid of it. Any ideas of the value?