Author Topic: New Hawken (Read 703 times)

filmokentucky · « **on:** October 09, 2004, 06:30:26 PM »

I bought a new Hawken at the Springfield gunshow today. I'm hoping to
identify the maker. It's a .54 caliber rifle with a 32 inch barrel. All the correct Hawken features are present. There are no markings present anywhere on the rifle save for the name Schillinger on the inside of the lock plate. All of the components are of the best quality, and the workmanship is extraordinary--what you would expect from Ted Fellowes or Michael Hayes for example. So far, all I have found out is that Schillinger made locks available to master gunmakers and his locks have not been available for quite a while. Not sure how long. Has anyone run across a master gunmaker who doesn't, or at one time didn't mark his guns?

filmokentucky · « **Reply #1 on:** October 11, 2004, 01:29:18 PM »

I've been doing some investigating as to the origins of this rifle. I called the NMLRA and Terri was kind enough to refer me to Dan Kindig at the Log Cabin Shop. He feels that it is probably not possible to find out the maker's name as there were a number of people who could have built it. I
showed it to Leonard Day and he feels that it was built at least thirty years ago, and that the furniture is probably from Cherry Corners. He said it is the most beautiful Hawken he has ever seen and that I shouldn't shoot it.
Gary Granger, the gentleman I bought it from, has no information regarding its origins. Incidentally Gary is a true gentleman and his web-site, www.frontierclassics.com is worth a visit.
Anyway, the bottom line is, as a wise man once said, every man ought to own at least one genuine Hawken in his life time. And if nobody said that, somebody should have.

Good time Charlie · « **Reply #2 on:** October 11, 2004, 04:04:47 PM »

If I couldn't shoot it why would you want it?
OLD Charlie

filmokentucky · « **Reply #3 on:** October 11, 2004, 04:55:07 PM »

My sentiments exactly. For way too many years I went without a Hawken because the general feeling around here is that there are no enactments or fur trade encampents here in the east, so you should stick with a gun that is more appropriate to the area. And yet, to my eyes, the Hawken is absolute perfection in a percussion rifle. This one fits me like it was made for me. It swings up and the sights are in perfect alignment every time. I just happen to have a supply of .53 balls and everything else I need. I'm heading for Vermont this weekend and I plan to try it out then. And I just heard about a rendezvous in New Hampshire next year--sounds like the perfect place for a Hawken and a mis-located mountain man.