January 23rd 2016 Firearms Sale
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/22/2016
.41 bore caliber, barrel length 36". Samuel Hawken operated his gun shop in St. Louis, MO as sole proprietor from 1822-1859. The top barrel flat at breech is stamped "S. Hawken St. Louis". So this pre-dates his partnership with his brother. The Hawken rifle, as produced in St. Louis, was one of the most desirable rifles of its time for frontiersman heading west from St. Louis, prior to the Civil War. Features of this rifle include: full heavy octagon barrel with light engraving at breech and tang and with platinum breech lines. The stock is the traditional half stock made of walnut with a pewter forend tip, a singular barrel locking wedge, a finely checkered wrist, rollover cheek piece with inset star, a rifle crescent butt plate with toe protector, and a silver shield set into bottom of butt. There is light engraving on butt plate, screws, and bottom tang. The percussion side plate is not marked. The hammer features light engraving. It has a wind drift rear sight with a brass front dovetail. Barrel has a solid steel underlug with three retaining thimbles and a period oak rod. AS to condition, all metal is basically brown rich chocolate patina with some usual age spotting. It is equipped with double set adjustable triggers. Stocks are excellent with a small chip at top tang and a 2" hairline crack left forend at cap. Working condition. Strong rifling with usual black powder abrasion. A truly iconic Hawken half stock sporting rifle. Comes with authentication paperwork.