This percussion Rocky Mountain Hawken half-stock rifle was manufactured by Davide Pedersoli & Co. The rifle is stocked in walnut, trimmed in traditional iron furniture with color case hardened finish. This rifle is offered in used condition with a bright well maintained bore. Weighing in at 10.1 pounds the rifle has a trigger reach of 13-3/4" making it well suited for today's average size shooter.

The .54 caliber barrel measures 34" in length and has a matte brown finish. The barrel is rifled with seven lands and grooves in a 1:65" slow twist for a patched round ball. A Rocky Mountain step adjustable rear sight, which sits 4" ahead of the breech, serves as the rear sight. The front sight is a nickel silver blade with an iron base. The rifle has all the required Italian markings on the off flat near the breech, including serial number, caliber and proofs. We recommend using a .530" swagged round ball, #Ball-530, combined with a .015" lubed patch, #OX-15-50-W. This combination should result in good accurate shooting.

Stained a medium brown, the walnut stock does not show any handling marks from use. The buttplate is fitted with a modestly curved buttplate to engage the shooter's shoulder. All of the furniture is color case hardened in traditional fashion. Ahead of the comb, the wrist is reinforced by the long tang of the hooked breech system. Remove the two wedge keys, along with the ramrod, and the barrel can be easily lifted from the stock for easy cleaning. Two bolts engage the tang and pass through the stock to connect with the long triggerplate below.

From below the classic iron toeplate that protects the toe, ending in a beaver-tail finial, can be seen. This toeplate is a popular theme found on the Hawken rifle. The long trigger bar, anchored to the long tang with two tang bolts, supports and reinforces the wrist. A desirable feature for a mountain man in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, many days by horseback and keel-boat from Sam Hawken's gun shop in Saint Louis. Strength made the Hawken rifle famous! The forend is fitted with the color case hardened steel forend cap, and an iron ramrod entry pipe. The sturdy 3/8" wooden ramrod with brass tips is threaded to accept 10-32 cleaning and loading accessories. The single lock bolt, and iron tear drop escutcheon, fitted flush with the side panel, are classic features of a half-stock Hawken plains rifle, from the 1835 - 1845 era. A beaver-tail shaped cheek piece adds comfort for a right hand shooter, the cheek is angled to the rear, to recoil away from your face, an ingenious feature found on better rifles. The balance point is just under the forward wedge key, for steady aiming.

This is a correctly made Hawken lock for this fur trade era percussion rifle, with a strong mainspring, stirrup link, and a fly detent to allow set triggers. The lock plate and hammer are color case hardened, in a rainbow of mottled colors. The vibrant color case hardening remains bright on the lock and can also be seen on the triggerplate below.

Double lever double set triggers may be set, or the lock cocked, in any sequence. Triggers fire set or unset, for target match shooting, or cold weather hunting with gloved fingers. Adjust the screw between the two triggers, inboard to reduce set trigger release pressure, or outboard to require a stronger pressure. When screwed fully inboard, the adjustment screw disables the rear trigger, so the rifle must be fired from the front trigger, which requires about a four pound pull for release. It is wise to disable the rear trigger, when hunting in very cold weather. But the set trigger can provide very light release, perhaps an ounce or two, for accurate aimed shooting during pleasant weather.

If you are looking for a good half stock Plains rifle, consider this one. This Hawken rifle has been nicely produced and is stocked in walnut. Order it for a ten day visual inspection. You will be delighted. Else if it does not fit you, return it in unfired condition for same-day refund. Postage is your only risk, when you order any one-of-a-kind gun from Track, whether new, used, or antique.