TC Hawken rare stock? Experts please.

[tacking]

My brother passed and I now have is factory built TC Hawken. I have struggled with the thought of getting a new stock on it as I have always thought this one was very unattractive. Not sure why I did not notice before,but I now understand that its a laminated stock. Hmmm. Well I did some internet search and I came up with a few post on another two forums that in fact TC made only like eight of these, or some small number like that.
So, I think I may have a rare TC. Not that I think it's worth more, ... but is it?
As for now I think I will just build another and leave this alone. Thoughts?

 

[tacking]

 

[Zonie]

Welcome to the forum.

I suppose, somewhere there is a collector for rare, ususual TC Hawkens but I have no idea where you would find him.

Perhaps one of the huge major gun auctions in Los Vegas and hope against hope the guy shows up?

Short of that, I doubt that there are many buyers who would pay extra for a laminated TC Hawken.

Good luck.

 

[tacking]

Thanks. I'd never sell it anyway. I just don't want to ruin it.
Just curious.

 

[bubba.50]

probably from the same sources as you, I have heard that "there was only about eight of these made." hard for me to believe as my best friend has had three of them & I've seen another three or four on gunbroker in the last couple years. since no-one knows for sure you have to take anything you hear about T/C's with a grain of salt.

but it does look like a pretty nice gun.

 

[nwtradegun]

when river was in business(t/c custom shop) you could order just about anything.

 

[SDSmlf]

Have seen TC Hawkens with laminated stocks for sale in the past. Can't say that I remember any actually selling for a premium. That said, as a buyer, I would value it based on condition of the bore. Personally, would pay less for a laminated stock, let alone a premium. If there are only 8 in existence, they are indeed rare. Just don't see anyone interested. Very low supply, just no demand.

 

[BrownBear]

If collecting and collector value are important to you, then you might want to put it in a closet and wait 30 or 40 years to see what happens.

 

[rdstrain49]

Fox Creek Outfitters?

 

[nwtradegun]

thanks my typing sticks.

 

[necchi]

Fox Creek Outfitters?

That's what I always thought.
The Laminated stock was an offering from Fox Creek Outfitters, T/C's custom shop.
Fairly common but not overwhelmingly popular because they where quite expensive.

 

[rdstrain49]

 

[Bill M.]

I would leave it like it is and build another one. But I would not buy one outright with a laminated stock. If it was custom shop I wonder what other improvements it might have?

 

[Eric Krewson]

I am building a TC kit that is definitely not a laminated stock but looks like it is. It is a very early prewarning kit.





This is just really wide grain walnut, complete with the proper early and late wood and no glue lines. I suspect it is crotch wood in the butt.

I cut this crotch wood walnut blank a few months ago, some similarities to my kit wood.

 

[kansas_volunteer]

T/C stocks were made at a mill in Perry, Kansas. You can see it on Google Earth, just east of the bridge and set back off the north side of the road. If you have a laminated stock I would guess it was probably made there as that's where the patterns and machinery were located. I was only there once and didn't see any laminated stocks, but that doesn't mean they didn't make them. They did have some drop dead gorgeous walnut stocks. I've seen walnut that from a distance looked vaguely laminated. Also, I have a modern rifle in a walnut shaded laminate that looks from a distance like it might actually be walnut with interesting grain. You've got an interesting piece. Hope you learn good things about it.

 

[Gene L]

I am building a TC kit that is definitely not a laminated stock but looks like it is. It is a very early prewarning kit.





This is just really wide grain walnut, complete with the proper early and late wood and no glue lines. I suspect it is crotch wood in the butt.

I cut this crotch wood walnut blank a few months ago, some similarities to my kit wood.

The grain is a lot closer together in the crotch wood you cut. And I mean a LOT.

 

[Eric Krewson]

I have some virgin timber on my place. The walnut I cut the stock blank out of toppled during a storm from next to the virgin timber. It had to grow long and slow to reach the sunlight which produced tight rings.

 

[Grimord]

I believe you mean "Fox Ridge" outfitters. They were the custom shop for T/C.

 

[coloradoclyde]

Rutland plywood corporation (Stratabond) Makes or made laminated gun stocks for many companies...Ruger, savage, etc....They probably made Thompson Center's too.....

 

[Billnpatti]

If you want to change your stock, and I don't blame you, you can get a very nice one from Pacatonica http://longrifles-pr.com/thompsoncenter.shtml It will require a slight bit of fitting and then you will have to apply a finish. Decide what kind of wood you want and what you can afford and go to it. I recently re-stocked a T/C flintlock with a full length Pecatonica stock. Not all that difficult at all. If you go with a half stock, it is pretty much a "drop in" but with a full length stock, the T/C nosecap will have to be replaced. A good source for parts for Hawken style rifles is The Hawken Shop. http://www.thehawkenshop.com/ or Track of The Wolf https://www.trackofthewolf.com/. There are other sources such as Dixie Gun Works, The Log Cabin Shop, Muzzleloader Builder's Supply, etc. All can be found by googling the name of the shop.