We are pleased to offer a fullstock flint Hawken of this fine quality. This Hawken rifle is beautifully shaped, neatly fitted and finished, and signed on the top flat of the barrel by experienced and talented muzzleloading gunmaker, J. Kirklin, whose fine muzzle loading firearms are highly collectible, and appreciated for their quality, artistic merit, and correct details. This used fullstock flint rifle is stocked in walnut and features a .54 caliber J.P. McLemore barrel and Bob Roller flint lock. The rifle weighs in at 10.7 pounds and has a trigger reach of 13-3/4" making it well suited for today's average to larger size shooter.

The straight octagon J.P. McLemore barrel is 37" long and measures just over 1-1/16" across the flats. The thicker barrel profile gives this fullstock Hawken the correct historical proportion, without being overly muzzle heavy. The bore has eight very narrow lands and wide grooves, deep rifling, and a slow twist for patched round balls. The bore is bright and has been well maintained. James P. McLemore was a custom barrel maker who made target barrels out of his machine shop in Hebron, IN. The bore is smooth as glass when a tight fitting cleaning patch is run down it, he knew his craft well. The barrel exterior has a silvery-brown patina finish from years of use and cleaning. Fitted with traditional sights, the front sight is a silver blade with brass base dovetailed 1-1/2" behind the muzzle, and the rear sight is a semi-buckhorn sight dovetailed 8-1/4" ahead of the breech. The barrel is signed on the top flat J. Kirklin behind the rear sight. The left oblique flat is stamped J.P. McLemore and the bottom flat is stamped J.P.M. 6-1-79. The bottom flat is also stamped 220 / 34 in two lines near the breech.

The walnut stock has a beautiful warm brown tone with small handling marks from decades of use. The brown finish has worn bright in the frequently handled areas and where the buttplate comes in contact with the group during loading. The inletting is perfect on this rifle and the whole gun has the look, patina, and feel of a fine antique. Correctly trimmed entirely in iron, in early Hawken style, this rifle has a modestly curved early buttplate, to minimize the recoil from the big .54 caliber bore. Notice the long tang, with two tang screws than anchor the tang to the long trigger plate, reinforcing the wrist, a classic feature of rugged Hawken rifles. Screw slots of the tang bolts are neatly aligned with the barrel, a nice touch. The bottom of the tang has a tab that is pinned to the stock, in English sporting rifle fashion, this locks the front of the tang for added stability. The barrel is fitted with a hooked breech, which allows it to be removed for easy cleaning. The barrel to tang is fitted so tight, the seem is barely noticeable. We note there is a small set screw that locks the hooked breech for an even tighter fit when target shooting. This small hex head screw is accessed in the lock inlet with the lock removed. This small hex set screw must be loosened before the barrel can be lifted from the stock. Pressing the three captured barrel keys, with thumb pressure, past the underlugs allows the barrel to be lifted from the stock for cleaning once the set screw is loosened. Notice the groove filed across the end of the barrel keys, another correct feature. The breech end of the barrel channel has been glass bedded for strength and moisture control.

Our bottom view shows the classic Hawken toeplate with pineapple finial. The toeplate is neatly hand engraved and the three mounting screws are neatly aligned. Early Hawken double set triggers are made with very long trigger bar. Two screws enter from the long steel tang, re-enforcing the wrist from above and below. A fall from your horse is not likely to break the wrist of this very strong rifle, a desirable feature for the Mountain Man, when trapping in Colorado. The trigger plate is border engraved and the pineapple finial is engraved to match the toeplate. An early flat-to-wrist triggerguard provides for a comfortable and secure hold when aiming this large flint fullstock Hawken. Note the correct positioning of the triggers in relation to the guard. The rear trigger matches the curve of the guard and almost when in the set position, this is a correct detail found on original Hawken rifles, that most builders miss today.

Our back view shows the correct early style square cheek piece with lines of molding. The singled lock bolt is surrounded by an early Hawken tear drop shaped sideplate escutcheon, a classic Hawken feature. Round iron ramrod pipes and matching entry pipe are all secured with two pins to prevent movement, another early Hawken detail. The 7/16" wooden ramrod is fitted with a brass tip threaded to accept 8-32 cleaning and loading accessories. A handmade iron muzzle cap protects the end grain of the stock. The end of the muzzle cap is shaped with a slight lip, which adds a touch of class to this fine rifle.

This fullstock Hawken flint rifle is fitted with a Bob Roller lock. The lock is neatly border engraved and has developed the same silvery-brown patina as the barrel. The tail is engraved with a feather design, and a small dove and flower are engraved just behind the cock. The cock is engraved with the same border and flower design found on the plate. The center of the lock plate is engraved Roller below the pan. The inside of the plate is stamped ROLLER 78 in an arch, which is typical of how Mr. Roller marked his famous locks. The frizzen spring has a roller bearing, for fast lock action. The "water-proof" pan helps to drain water away from the priming charge. This lock is a pleasure to cock, it is so well made it reminds us of a Swiss watch.

Hawken double set triggers are properly tuned to fire from the set, or unset position. You can cock the lock before or after setting the triggers. The Ampco steel vent liner brings the main charge very close to the priming flash. This vent is perfectly centered over the pan, correctly positioned to find the hottest center of the ignition flash. We note the front of the lock is fitted with a hook that engages a screw in the lock inlet, exactly like fine English sporting rifles of the period. The rear of the lock must be tipped out first, before being removed. We note a little bit of wood chipping in the tail of the lock panel, which only adds to the wonderful patina and antique look of this rifle.

This incredible signed fullstock Hawken rifle by contemporary builder Mr. Kirklin is a fine piece of American folk art of the best quality. We are delighted to receive and offer consignments of this quality. The lucky buyer will own a treasure that will last a lifetime, and his heirs will raise toasts to his good taste, far into the future. 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.